Open the request and choose your payment method
When someone sends you a PayPal payment request, it arrives as a notification in your PayPal account, email, or text message (depending on how they sent it). Click the link or log into PayPal and find the request in your Activity or Requests section. The request shows the amount owed, who is asking for it, and what it is for.
Once you open the request, PayPal shows you the payment methods linked to your account: your PayPal balance, a bank account, a debit card, or a credit card. Choose which one you want to use. If you do not have a payment method saved, you can add one during checkout. PayPal accepts most major debit and credit cards, and you can link a U.S. bank account for direct transfers.
The payment method you choose affects how fast the money moves and whether you pay a fee. Paying from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account is usually free. Paying with a credit card may trigger a fee (typically 2.2% plus $0.30 for goods and services, though personal payments are often free). Check the request details to see if a fee applies before you confirm.
Key Takeaways
- Payment requests arrive in your PayPal notifications, email, or text, and you pay them by clicking the link and selecting a payment method.
- Paying from your PayPal balance or linked bank account is usually free, while credit card payments may include a fee.
- The money leaves your account immediately when you confirm, but it may take one to three business days to reach the recipient's bank account if they use a linked bank.
- If you dispute a payment within 180 days, PayPal can reverse it, but you should contact the recipient first if there is a problem.
- Payment requests are different from invoices; requests are simpler and do not include itemized details or payment terms.
Confirm the payment and watch for the receipt
After you select your payment method, review the amount one more time. PayPal shows you the total, including any fees, before you hit the final button. Once you confirm, the payment is sent and you receive a receipt immediately in your PayPal account and by email. The receipt includes the date, time, amount, recipient name, and a transaction ID.
The recipient gets notified that payment has been sent. If they have a linked bank account, the money may arrive within one to three business days. If they use PayPal balance only, it appears in their account right away. You can see the payment status in your Activity section — it will show as "Completed" once it has been sent, though it may still be "Pending" if the recipient's bank is processing it.
When the payment method fails or is declined
If your card or bank account is declined, PayPal tells you why — usually insufficient funds, an expired card, or a mismatch between your billing address and the card issuer's records. You can try again immediately with a different payment method. PayPal does not charge you for a failed attempt.
If the same method keeps failing, contact your bank or card issuer to check whether they have flagged PayPal transactions or whether there is a problem with the account itself. Some banks require you to call and authorize PayPal transfers before they will go through. Once you fix it with your bank, return to the payment request and try again.
Disputing or canceling a payment you sent
Once you confirm a payment request, it cannot be canceled through PayPal's interface. However, you can dispute it within 180 days if something went wrong — the recipient never received it, the amount was wrong, or you did not authorize it. Open the transaction in your Activity, click "Report a Problem," and describe what happened.
PayPal investigates disputes and can reverse the payment if you have a valid claim. The process usually takes 10 business days. If the money came from your bank account, it goes back to that account. If it came from your PayPal balance, it returns to your balance. Do not dispute a payment just because you changed your mind about owing the money — contact the recipient directly first and ask them to cancel or refund it.
Difference between payment requests and invoices
A payment request is a simple ask for money with a total amount and a note. An invoice is more formal and includes itemized details, payment terms, and a due date. Both arrive in your PayPal account, but you pay them the same way: by clicking the link and choosing a payment method.
The main difference is what information the sender included. A request might say "Rent: $1,200." An invoice might say "Rent: $1,200, due by the 1st of the month, late payment fee $50 after 5 days." Both are legally binding if you accept them, but invoices are more common in business transactions. You pay them identically through PayPal.
Fees and what they depend on
PayPal's fee structure for payment requests depends on the type of transaction and your payment method. Personal payments (money sent to friends or family) are usually free if you pay from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account. If you use a credit or debit card for a personal payment, PayPal may charge a fee — this varies by country and card type.
Goods and services payments (requests for business transactions) include a fee of 2.2% plus $0.30 if you pay with a card or PayPal balance. Paying from a linked bank account is free. The request itself tells you whether it is categorized as personal or goods and services, and it shows the total fee before you confirm. If the fee is too high, you can choose a different payment method or contact the recipient to ask whether they can send an invoice instead (which may have different fee terms).
Keeping your payment secure
PayPal protects your payment with encryption and fraud detection. When you pay a request, your payment method details are not shared with the recipient — they only see that payment was received. This means you do not have to worry about giving your card number or bank account information to someone you do not fully trust.
Before you pay, verify that the request came from the person or business you think it did. Scammers sometimes send fake payment requests that look like they are from PayPal or a trusted contact. Check the sender's name carefully and, if you are unsure, contact them outside of PayPal (by phone or in person) to confirm they sent it. Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from PayPal unless you log into PayPal directly through the official app or website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the recipient to get the money?
If they have a linked bank account, one to three business days. If they use PayPal balance only, it arrives immediately. Weekends and holidays can add time. You can see the payment status in your Activity section — "Completed" means it has been sent, though it may still be processing on their end.
Can I pay a payment request with a credit card?
Yes, but you may be charged a fee. Personal payments with a credit card sometimes have no fee, while goods and services payments typically cost 2.2% plus $0.30. The request shows the fee before you confirm. Paying from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account is usually free.
What if I paid the wrong amount?
Contact the recipient and explain the error. They can send you a new request for the difference, or you can ask them to refund the overpayment. If they refuse, you can dispute the transaction with PayPal within 180 days, though disputes work best when there is a genuine error rather than a disagreement about the amount owed.
Do I need a PayPal account to pay a request?
Yes, you need a PayPal account to pay through PayPal. If you do not have one, you can create a free account in a few minutes using an email address and a payment method. Some payment requests may offer a guest checkout option, but this is not standard — most require you to log in.
Can I pay a request anonymously?
No. The recipient will see your PayPal account name and email address. Your payment method details (card or bank account number) stay private, but your identity as the payer is visible. If you want to send money without revealing your identity, you would need to ask the recipient to accept cash or another payment method instead.