Travel Tips Travelling to Mexico

Can I use PayPal in Mexico?

Alex Beaney

15.08.24

2 minute read

Jetting off to Mexico from the UK? Whether it’s a short trip or a permanent move, it’s useful to know whether you can continue using your favourite UK payment accounts overseas.

In this guide, we’ll be focusing on PayPal (PYPL), and whether you can use it in Mexico. We’ll look at whether the service is available there, how to use it and whether there are any fees you need to know about.

We’ll also show you an alternative - the Wise account, which lets you send, spend and convert and hold Mexican peso (MXN) along with 40+ currencies.

Does PayPal work in Mexico?

PayPal operates in many countries worldwide, and this includes Mexico.

It has a dedicated website for its Mexican customers, where it offers accounts for personal use as well as for small businesses and larger enterprises.

Can I open a PayPal account in Mexico?

Yes, you can open a new PayPal account if you’re living in Mexico.

As part of the sign up process, you’ll just need to provide some basic details such as your name, address and contact details.

To send money or use PayPal to pay for something, you’ll also need to add a payment method like a debit or credit card, or a bank account.

Features of PayPal accounts in Mexico

So what can you do with a PayPal account in Mexico, and does it work in the same way as the UK?

Here are some of the main features and benefits of personal PayPal accounts in Mexico:

Shop online and use PayPal to pay, on marketplaces and websites where it’s accepted as a payment method.
Send money to friends and family (you’ll need to check whether it’s possible for your recipient to receive money via PayPal in their country).
Send payments to sellers.
Request payments easily using handy payment links
Receive money into your PayPal account, including payments from people you know and refunds from retailers.

If you run an ecommerce or retail business, you can open a PayPal business account in Mexico. This will let you integrate PayPal into the checkout on your website, so that customers can pay you using PayPal.

The company also has Point of Sale (PoS) solutions available for accepting payments in real-world stores.

Can I use my UK PayPal account in Mexico?

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to keep using your UK PayPal account after you’ve moved to Mexico.

Under PayPal’s policies, it states that if you move overseas, you’ll need to close your UK account and open a new one once you arrive, using your new Mexican residential address.¹ The process is pretty straightforward though, so you should be set up with a new account in no time.

Fees for using PayPal in Mexico

Now we turn to the matter of fees. How much will it cost you to use PayPal in Mexico?

Let’s take a look at the main charges you need to know about:²

Type	Fee
Opening a PayPal account	Free
Sending money to friends and family	Free (where no currency conversion is involved)
Sending money internationally	Fees apply³ - check with PayPal
Receiving money	Free (where no currency conversion is involved)
Paying for an online purchase	Free where no currency conversion is involved
Currency conversion fee	3.5% to 4%
Withdrawing money from a PayPal account to a bank account	No fee (when no currency conversion is involved)

Manage your money in 40+ currencies with Wise

Of course, PayPal isn’t the only solution for sending, spending and managing your money in Mexico. If you like the sound of a powerful multi-currency online account and a card that works in 150+ countries, check out Wise.

Open a Wise account online and you can send money to and from Mexico for low fees and mid-market exchange rates.

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7. This clever card automatically converts currency whenever you spend, so you don’t need to worry about preloading your account or converting cash. There’s only a small conversion fee to pay. And it works online as well as in real-world shops and restaurants.

And if you need cash, your Wise card has you covered. You can withdraw up to £200 a month in 2 transactions from Mexican ATMs for free (although double-check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fee).

Check out the Wise card 💳

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sources used:

PayPal - Can I change the address on my PayPal account to another country?
PayPal - Consumer Fees
PayPal - What are the fees for international payments when selling abroad?

Sources last checked on date: 18-Jul-2024

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.