PayPal transfers to your bank account take one to three business days, depending on your bank and whether you pay a fee
When you transfer money from PayPal to a linked bank account, PayPal sends the funds through the ACH network — the same system that processes direct deposits and bill payments. The transfer is not instant. Standard transfers (no fee) arrive in one to three business days. Instant transfers (a small fee, usually $0.25 to $2.00) land in your account within 30 minutes, though the exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
The money leaves your PayPal balance immediately when you initiate the transfer, but your bank account does not receive it right away. This matters if you are counting on the funds to cover a payment or bill on a specific day.
Key Takeaways
- You must link a bank account to your PayPal account before you can transfer money out; a debit card alone is not enough.
- Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days; instant transfers cost $0.25 to $2.00 and arrive within 30 minutes.
- PayPal holds some transfers for review, which can add one to two business days; this happens randomly and you will see a notice in your account.
- If your transfer fails, check that your bank account information is correct and that your bank has not blocked PayPal transfers.
How to link a bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, you need to add a bank account to your PayPal account. Log in to PayPal, go to Wallet, then select Link a bank account. Enter your routing number and account number (both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your bank's online portal). PayPal will ask for your account type (checking or savings) and the name on the account.
PayPal then sends two small deposits to your bank account — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — to confirm you own the account. This takes one to two business days. Once the deposits arrive, you return to PayPal and enter the two amounts to verify the account. After verification, the account is linked and ready to use for transfers.
If you already have a debit card linked to PayPal, that is not the same as linking a bank account. Debit cards cannot receive transfers; only a bank account can.
Initiating a standard transfer (free, one to three days)
Log in to PayPal and go to Wallet. Select Transfer money, then choose Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount you want to move. PayPal will show you the linked bank account and confirm the transfer is free. Review the details and click Transfer now.
The money leaves your PayPal balance immediately. Your bank account receives it in one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Wednesday.
PayPal will send you an email confirming the transfer. You can also check the status in your PayPal transaction history at any time.
Using instant transfer (fee, 30 minutes or less)
If you need the money faster, PayPal offers instant transfers for a fee. The fee is typically $0.25 to $2.00 depending on the amount transferred; PayPal shows the exact fee before you confirm. Go to Wallet, select Transfer money, then Transfer to your bank. Choose the amount and look for the option to Transfer instantly. PayPal will display the fee. Confirm the transfer.
The money should arrive in your bank account within 30 minutes, though some banks take longer to post deposits. The fee is deducted from your PayPal balance along with the transfer amount, so if you transfer $100 with a $1.50 fee, $101.50 leaves your PayPal account.
Instant transfer is not available to all PayPal users. If you do not see the option, your account may not have been verified long enough, or your bank may not support instant deposits. Standard transfer is your only choice in that case.
What happens if PayPal holds your transfer for review
Sometimes PayPal flags a transfer and holds it for review before sending it to your bank. This is a fraud-prevention step and happens randomly — you have not necessarily done anything wrong. PayPal will notify you in your account that the transfer is under review and give you an estimated release date, usually one to two business days after you initiated it.
During the hold, the money is still deducted from your PayPal balance, but it has not reached your bank yet. You cannot cancel a transfer that is under review. Once PayPal releases it, it follows the normal timeline (one to three days for standard, 30 minutes for instant).
If you see a hold notice, check your email for any messages from PayPal asking for additional information. Respond promptly if they ask questions about the transfer.
Troubleshooting a failed or missing transfer
If your transfer fails, PayPal will notify you and return the money to your PayPal balance. The most common reasons are an incorrect routing or account number, a closed bank account, or your bank blocking the transfer. Check your bank account information in PayPal and make sure the routing number and account number match exactly what your bank shows.
Contact your bank and ask whether they have blocked transfers from PayPal. Some banks flag PayPal as a third party and require you to approve it. Your bank can whitelist PayPal so future transfers go through without delay. If your account information is correct and your bank has not blocked PayPal, try the transfer again.
If the transfer fails a second time, call PayPal customer service at 1-888-221-1161 (in the US) or use the contact option in your account. Have your bank account information and the date of the failed transfer ready.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to all users. Limits vary based on your account age, verification status, and transaction history. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. You can see your current limit by attempting a transfer; PayPal will tell you the maximum amount you can move in a single transfer and per day.
If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can make multiple transfers on different days. There is no limit on the total amount you can transfer over time, only on the size and frequency of individual transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. When you link your bank account, you choose whether it is checking or savings. PayPal transfers to either type the same way and at the same speed. Make sure you select the correct account type when linking, or the transfer may fail.
What if I transfer money by mistake or change my mind?
If the transfer has not yet been sent to your bank, you may be able to cancel it from your transaction history. Once PayPal has sent it to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal. Contact your bank and ask them to reverse the deposit, though they are not required to do so. If the transfer was sent to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to recover the funds.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?
Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income is taxable. PayPal reports payments over $600 to the IRS on Form 1099-K. Transferring the money does not change the tax status of the original income.
Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?
Transfers initiated on weekends or bank holidays do not start processing until the next business day. If your bank is experiencing technical issues or has a backlog, deposits may take longer to post. Contact your bank if a transfer has been pending for more than four business days; they can check whether PayPal sent it and where it is in their system.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account in your own name. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature (which may charge a fee for transfers to bank accounts) or use a different service like Venmo or a wire transfer through your bank.