How to Transfer Money Via PayPal

The Basic Steps to Send Money on PayPal

To send money through PayPal, you log into your account, click "Send & Request," enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, and confirm the transfer. The money leaves your PayPal balance or linked bank account and arrives in the recipient's PayPal account or, in some cases, directly to their bank account. The whole process takes about a minute to set up, though the money itself may take a few business days to land depending on how the recipient receives it.

You do not need the recipient to be a PayPal user to send them money — PayPal can deliver funds to a bank account or debit card even if they have never opened a PayPal account. However, the recipient will need to claim the money within a set time frame, usually 30 days, or it returns to you.

Key Takeaways

• PayPal transfers from your account balance or linked bank account to another person's PayPal account, email address, or bank account.
• Sending money to a PayPal user or email address is usually free, but sending to a bank account or debit card may carry a fee depending on your account type and location.
• Money sent to an email address arrives when ready in PayPal but the recipient must claim it within 30 days or it returns to you.
• Bank transfers from PayPal take one to three business days, while transfers within PayPal accounts are usually when ready.
• You can send money domestically or internationally, though international transfers have higher fees and longer processing times.

How to Send Money to a PayPal User or Email Address

Open PayPal on your phone or computer and log in. On the home screen, look for a button labeled "Send & Request" or "Send Money." Click it, then select "Send Money to Friends and Family" or "Send an Invoice" depending on whether you are paying someone back or requesting payment for goods or services.

Enter the recipient's email address or phone number. If they have a PayPal account linked to that email or phone, PayPal will recognize them. Type the amount you want to send and add a note if you want — for example, "Rent for March" or "Dinner last night." Review the details and click "Send." The money leaves your account when ready and appears in the recipient's PayPal account right away. They will see a notification that the money arrived.

If the recipient does not have a PayPal account yet, they will receive an email or text message asking them to claim the money. They have 30 days to open a PayPal account and accept the transfer. If they do not claim it within 30 days, the money returns to your PayPal balance automatically.

Sending Money to a Bank Account or Debit Card

PayPal also lets you send money directly to someone's bank account or debit card without them needing a PayPal account. From the "Send & Request" screen, select "Send Money" and choose the option to send to a bank account or debit card. You will need the recipient's full name, bank routing number, and account number — or, for debit card transfers, their card number and expiration date.

Enter the amount and confirm. PayPal will charge a fee for this type of transfer — the exact amount depends on your location and account type, and PayPal displays the fee before you confirm. The money typically arrives in the recipient's bank account within one to three business days. Unlike email transfers, there is no 30-day window — once you send it, the transfer is on its way.

This method is useful when you need to send money to someone who does not use PayPal, but it costs more than sending to a PayPal account. Check the fee before you send to decide if it makes sense for the amount you are transferring.

Understanding Fees and Which Transfers Are Free

Sending money to another PayPal user's account or to an email address is free when you send it as a personal transfer (sometimes labeled "Friends and Family"). This is the cheapest way to move money through PayPal. If you send money as a payment for goods or services, PayPal charges a percentage fee plus a flat amount — this is meant for business transactions, not personal money transfers.

Sending money to a bank account or debit card always carries a fee. The fee varies by country and account type. In the United States, PayPal typically charges a percentage of the amount plus a flat fee for bank transfers, though the exact numbers change. PayPal shows you the fee on the confirmation screen before you complete the transfer, so you always know the cost before your money leaves.

International transfers cost more than domestic ones. If you are sending money to someone outside the United States, PayPal charges a higher percentage and may add currency conversion fees on top. Again, PayPal displays the total cost before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

How Long Transfers Take to Arrive

Transfers between PayPal accounts or to an email address happen when ready — the recipient sees the money in their PayPal account within seconds. However, if the recipient then wants to move that money to their own bank account, that step takes one to three business days depending on their bank.

Transfers directly to a bank account or debit card take longer. Most arrive within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays can add time, so a transfer sent on Friday evening might not show up until Tuesday. International transfers can take five to ten business days or longer depending on the destination country and the receiving bank.

If a transfer seems to be taking longer than expected, log into your PayPal account and check the transaction history. PayPal shows the status of each transfer — whether it is pending, completed, or failed. If a transfer fails, PayPal usually explains why and lets you try again.

Sending Money Internationally

PayPal works in over 200 countries and regions, so you can send money abroad. The process is the same as a domestic transfer — you enter the recipient's email, phone number, or bank account details and the amount. However, international transfers have higher fees and take longer to arrive.

When you send money internationally, PayPal converts your currency to the recipient's currency. PayPal charges a conversion fee on top of the transfer fee, and the exchange rate PayPal uses may not be the best available. Before you send, check what the total cost will be, including all fees and currency conversion.

Some countries have restrictions on PayPal transfers, and some banks do not accept PayPal transfers at all. If you are sending money to a country you are unsure about, contact PayPal support or check their website to confirm the transfer will work before you send the money.

What to Do If a Transfer Goes Wrong

If you send money and it does not arrive, first check the transaction history in your PayPal account. Look for the transfer and see what status it shows. If it says "pending," the money is still on its way — wait a few more business days before taking action. If it says "failed" or "cancelled," the money should have returned to your PayPal balance automatically.

If the recipient says they never received the money and the transaction shows "completed" on your end, contact PayPal support. Have the transaction ID ready — you can find it in your transaction history. PayPal can investigate where the money went and help recover it if something went wrong on their end.

If you sent money to the wrong person by mistake, contact PayPal right away. If the transfer is still pending, PayPal may be able to cancel it. If it has already been completed, you will need to contact the recipient and ask them to send the money back — PayPal cannot reverse a completed transfer on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to someone who does not have a PayPal account?

Yes. You can send money to their email address and they will receive a notification to claim it, or you can send it directly to their bank account or debit card. If you send to an email address, they have 30 days to claim the money or it returns to you. If you send to a bank account, the money goes directly there and does not require any action from them.

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

PayPal sets limits on how much you can send, and the limit depends on your account history, how long you have had the account, and whether you have confirmed your identity. New accounts have lower limits. As you use PayPal more, your limits increase. Log into your account to see your current sending limit, or contact PayPal support to ask about raising it.

What happens if the recipient does not claim money I sent to their email?

If you send money to an email address and the recipient does not claim it within 30 days, the money automatically returns to your PayPal balance. You will receive a notification when this happens. The recipient can no longer claim the money after the 30-day window closes.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

If the transfer is still pending, you may be able to cancel it. Log into your account, find the transaction, and look for a cancel option. If the transfer has already been completed, you cannot cancel it through PayPal — you will need to contact the recipient and ask them to send the money back.

Do I pay taxes on money I send through PayPal?

Money you send to a friend or family member as a personal transfer is not taxable income for them. However, if you are sending money as payment for goods or services, that may be taxable depending on the amount and your location. PayPal reports large transactions to the IRS, so keep records of what the money was for.