How to Send Money Between PayPal Accounts

You can transfer money from one PayPal account to another in minutes using the "Send Money" feature

PayPal lets you send money to another PayPal account using an email address or phone number. The person receiving the money does not need to be in the same country as you, though international transfers may take longer and involve currency conversion fees. The money lands in the recipient's PayPal balance when ready if both accounts are verified, or it may sit as a pending transfer until the recipient accepts it.

The process is straightforward: you log into your PayPal account, select "Send Money," enter the recipient's email or phone number, type the amount, and confirm. You can send from your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card. The recipient sees the transfer in their account and can keep it there, withdraw it to their bank account, or spend it using PayPal.

Key Takeaways

• You can send money to another PayPal account using the recipient's email address or phone number linked to their account.
• The transfer appears in the recipient's account when ready if both accounts are verified, or within a few minutes to a few hours if verification is pending.
• You can fund the transfer from your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card.
• PayPal charges no fee to send money to another PayPal account in the same country, but international transfers and credit card funding may incur fees.

Step-by-step process to send money

Log into your PayPal account on the website or mobile app. On the website, click the "Send Money" button in the top navigation. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then select "Send Money."

Enter the recipient's email address or phone number in the field that appears. This must be the email or phone number associated with their PayPal account. If you are unsure, ask them which one they use to log in. Click "Next" or proceed to the next screen.

Type the amount you want to send and select the currency. PayPal will show you any applicable fees before you confirm. Review the details, then click "Send" or "Send Money Now" to complete the transfer. You will see a confirmation screen with a transaction ID, which you can save or screenshot for your records.

Funding sources and fees

You can fund a transfer to another PayPal account using your PayPal balance (money already in your account), a linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card. If you have multiple funding sources, PayPal will show you which one is set as your default, and you can change it before you send.

PayPal charges no fee when you send money to another PayPal account in the United States using your PayPal balance or a linked bank account. If you fund the transfer with a credit card or debit card, PayPal charges a percentage fee (the exact rate varies). International transfers to PayPal accounts outside the United States may include a currency conversion fee and a fixed transfer fee; the amount depends on the destination country.

Before you confirm any transfer, PayPal displays the total amount the recipient will receive after fees. If you disagree with the fee, you can cancel and choose a different funding source or send the money another way.

What happens after you send the money

If the recipient's PayPal account is verified and active, the money appears in their account within seconds to a few minutes. They will receive a notification by email or in the PayPal app that money has been sent to them. The transfer shows in your account history when ready as "sent" or "completed."

If the recipient's account is not yet verified or if PayPal flags the transfer for review, the money may sit as "pending" in their account for up to 24 hours. During this time, the recipient can see the transfer but cannot spend it. PayPal will notify them when the status changes to completed.

Once the money is in the recipient's account, they can leave it there, transfer it to their own bank account, or use it to make purchases or send money to others. There is no time limit on how long they can hold the money in PayPal.

Sending money to someone without a PayPal account

If you want to send money to someone who does not have a PayPal account, you can still use PayPal's "Send Money" feature. Enter their email address or phone number, and PayPal will send them a notification asking them to create an account to receive the money. They have 30 days to claim it; after that, the money returns to your account.

This option is useful if you want to send money to someone but do not want to use a bank transfer or other method. The recipient must create a PayPal account to receive the money, but they do not need to have one before you send it.

Differences between sending money and requesting money

PayPal offers two ways to move money between accounts: "Send Money" and "Request Money." When you send money, you initiate the transfer and the money moves from your account to the recipient's. When you request money, you ask someone else to send you money, and they decide whether to approve the request.

Use "Send Money" when you want to pay someone back, give someone a gift, or split a bill. Use "Request Money" when you want to ask someone to pay you for something — for example, if a friend owes you money and you want to remind them. The recipient of a money request can approve it, decline it, or ignore it.

Security and dispute resolution

PayPal protects transfers between accounts through its Buyer Protection and Seller Protection policies. If you send money to the wrong person by mistake, you can contact PayPal to report the error, though recovery is not may provide. If the recipient has not yet claimed the money, PayPal may be able to cancel the transfer.

If you believe a transfer was unauthorized or fraudulent, report it to PayPal through your account settings under "Resolution Center." PayPal will investigate and may reverse the transfer if it finds the claim valid. Keep your transaction ID and any communication with the recipient in case you need to dispute the transfer later.

To reduce the risk of sending money to the wrong person, always confirm the recipient's email address or phone number before you hit send. If you are sending a large amount, consider asking the recipient to confirm they received it before you consider the transaction complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for money to show up in the recipient's account?

If both accounts are verified, the money appears within seconds to a few minutes. If the recipient's account is not yet verified or PayPal reviews the transfer, it may take up to 24 hours. You will see a confirmation when ready; the recipient will see a notification when the money arrives.

Can I send money to a PayPal account in another country?

Yes, but international transfers may take longer and include currency conversion and transfer fees. The exact fees depend on the destination country. PayPal will show you the total cost and the amount the recipient will receive before you confirm the transfer.

What if I send money to the wrong email address?

Contact PayPal right away through the Resolution Center in your account. If the recipient has not yet claimed the money, PayPal may cancel the transfer and return it to you. If they have already claimed it, recovery is more difficult, so confirm the email address before you send.

Is there a limit to how much money I can send?

PayPal sets sending limits based on your account age, verification status, and history. New or unverified accounts may have lower limits. Log into your account and check your sending limit under "Wallet" or "Account Settings." If you hit your limit, you can request a higher one or wait for it to reset.

Do I pay a fee to send money to another PayPal account?

No fee applies when you send money to another PayPal account in the United States using your PayPal balance or a linked bank account. Credit card and debit card funding incurs a percentage fee. International transfers include currency conversion and transfer fees that vary by destination country.