The basic process: three steps to transfer your balance

To move money from PayPal to your bank account, you log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and request a transfer. PayPal sends the money to the account you've linked — usually within one to three business days, though it can take up to five. You need an active bank account with routing and account numbers, and PayPal must have verified that account before you can transfer to it.

The transfer itself is free. PayPal does not charge a fee to move your balance to a linked bank account in the United States. Some banks may charge their own fees for receiving transfers, but that is rare for standard ACH transfers.

You can transfer as much or as little as you want, as long as the amount is available in your PayPal balance. If you have money held by PayPal (for example, pending sales or disputes), that amount will not be available to transfer until the hold lifts.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal transfers to a linked bank account take one to five business days and cost nothing.
  • You must link and verify your bank account in PayPal before you can transfer money to it.
  • The transfer uses the ACH system, which is slower than when ready payment apps but works with any U.S. bank.
  • Money held by PayPal for disputes, seller protection, or pending transactions cannot be transferred until the hold is released.
  • You can set up a one-time transfer or use PayPal's automatic transfer feature to move money on a schedule you choose.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Before you can transfer money, PayPal needs to know your bank account exists and that you own it. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the Wallet or Bank Accounts section, and select "Link a Bank Account." Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). You can find both numbers on the bottom left of a paper check, or call your bank to ask.

After you enter this information, PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account — usually within two business days. These deposits are typically less than one dollar each and have a code in the description. Log back into PayPal, go to the bank account you just linked, and enter those two amounts to confirm you received them. Once you do, the account is verified and ready to use for transfers.

This verification step protects you: it proves PayPal that the account is yours and that you can access it. Until you complete it, PayPal will not let you transfer money out.

Starting a one-time transfer

Once your bank account is verified, transferring money is straightforward. Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Tap or click "Wallet" (on mobile, this may be labeled "Money" or appear as a tab at the bottom). You should see your PayPal balance and any linked bank accounts listed below it.

Select the bank account you want to transfer to. PayPal will show you a button or option to "Transfer to Bank" or "Withdraw." Enter the amount you want to move. Review the details — the receiving bank, the amount, and the estimated arrival date — then confirm the transfer. PayPal will send a confirmation email with a reference number.

The money will leave your PayPal account when ready, but it will not show up in your bank account right away. Standard transfers take one to three business days. If you transfer on a Friday evening, for example, the money may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Using automatic transfers to move money on a schedule

If you regularly move money from PayPal to your bank account, you can set up an automatic transfer instead of doing it manually each time. In your PayPal settings, look for "Automatic Transfers" or "Transfer Settings." You can choose to move a fixed amount on a set day each week or month, or you can set a threshold — for example, "transfer any balance over $500 automatically."

Automatic transfers use the same one- to five-day timeline as manual transfers. You can pause or cancel an automatic transfer at any time by going back to your settings. If you cancel, PayPal will stop future transfers but will not reverse any that have already been sent to your bank.

This feature is useful if you sell items regularly on eBay or another platform and want your earnings to flow to your bank without thinking about it. You can also adjust the amount or schedule whenever your situation changes.

When transfers take longer than expected

Most transfers arrive within one to three business days, but PayPal's terms allow up to five business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer requested on Friday may not arrive until the following Wednesday or Thursday.

If more than five business days have passed and the money has not arrived, check your PayPal transaction history to confirm the transfer was actually sent. Look for a transaction labeled "Transfer to Bank" with a reference number. If it shows as "Completed" or "Processed," contact your bank and give them the reference number — the money may be delayed on their end, or there may be a mismatch in account numbers.

If the transfer shows as "Pending" or "In Progress" in PayPal, wait a bit longer. If it shows as "Failed" or "Returned," PayPal will send the money back to your PayPal balance, usually within a few days. A transfer fails most often because the account number or routing number was entered incorrectly, or because the account has been closed.

What happens if your transfer fails

A failed transfer means PayPal tried to send the money to your bank but the bank rejected it. The most common reasons are a wrong account number, a closed account, or a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account.

When a transfer fails, PayPal returns the money to your PayPal balance automatically. You will see a notification in your account and usually receive an email explaining why it failed. Check the bank account details you entered in PayPal — go to your Wallet, select the bank account, and look for an option to edit or update it. Correct any errors and try the transfer again.

If the account is closed, you will need to link a different bank account. If the name mismatch is the issue, contact your bank to confirm what name is registered on the account, then update your PayPal account information to match.

Money you cannot transfer right away

Your PayPal balance may include money that PayPal is holding and will not let you transfer. This happens in several situations. If you just received a payment from a buyer, PayPal may hold it for up to 21 days as seller protection. If a transaction is disputed, PayPal freezes that amount until the dispute is resolved. If you are a new seller, PayPal may hold your first few payments to verify you are legitimate.

You can see which money is held by looking at your PayPal balance breakdown. It usually shows "Available Balance" (the amount you can transfer) and "Pending Balance" or "On Hold" (the amount you cannot touch yet). Only the available balance can be transferred to your bank account.

If you need access to held money, contact PayPal's Resolution Center to ask about the hold. Some holds can be released early if you provide tracking information or proof of delivery. Others must straightforward expire on their own schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account registered in your own name. If you want to send money to another person, use PayPal's "Send Money" or "Pay Friends and Family" feature instead, which lets you transfer directly to their PayPal account or their email address.

What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?

You can unlink it before you transfer any money. Go to your Wallet, select the account, and choose "Remove" or "Unlink." If you have already transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal's customer service with the transaction reference number — they may be able to help, but recovering money sent to the wrong account is difficult and not always possible.

Do I have to verify my bank account every time I transfer?

No. You verify it once when you first link it. After that, you can transfer as many times as you want without repeating the verification step. The verification stays in place until you unlink the account or close your PayPal account.

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 a checking or savings account. PayPal will transfer to either type. The timeline and process are the same.

What if PayPal says my bank account is not may be able to access for transfers?

This usually means the account type is not supported (for example, some business accounts or money market accounts may not work), or there is a problem with the account itself. Try linking a different account, or contact your bank to confirm the account is active and set up to receive ACH transfers. Some banks restrict incoming transfers for security reasons — your bank may need to allow PayPal transfers in your account settings.