Money in Kenya: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange
Kenya has the highest GDP per capita in the East and Central Africa region. Although largely known for exporting tea and coffee, Kenya also has a rapidly...
Can PayPal be used in Kenya?
Planning a trip to Kenya from the UK? Whether you’re visiting family, touring the country or travelling there for business, you’ll need to be able to spend and shop while overseas.
It could be useful to be able to use some of your UK accounts, like PayPal (PYPL) for example. But does PayPal work in Kenya?
Read on for everything you need to know about using PayPal in Kenya, including any fees.
We’ll also show you an alternative - the Wise account, which lets you send, spend, convert and hold money in Kenyan shillings (KES) along with 40+ other currencies.
Does PayPal work in Kenya?
The good news is that PayPal does operate in Kenya, and even has a dedicated website for its customers there.
PayPal in Kenya offers accounts and services for both personal and business customers, and it appears to work in much the same way as in the UK.
Can I open a PayPal account in Kenya?
Yes, you should be able to open a new PayPal account if you’re living in Kenya. You can do it either online or via the PayPal mobile app.
You’ll just need to provide some basic personal details such as your name, address and contact details.
To send money or use PayPal to pay online, you’ll also need to add a payment method like a debit or credit card, or a bank account.
Features of PayPal accounts in Kenya
Here are a few of the main things you can do with a PayPal account in Kenya:
- Shop online at websites which accept PayPal at checkout
- Buy items on sites like eBay
- Send money to online sellers
- 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)
- Receive payments via PayPal.
Can I use my UK PayPal account in Kenya?
Unfortunately, you can’t carry on using your UK PayPal account if you move to Kenya.
You’ll need to close it and open a new one once you arrive, using your new Kenyaian residential address.¹
Fees for using PayPal in Kenya
Here are the main fees you need to know about when using PayPal in Kenya:²
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening a PayPal account | Free |
| Sending money to friends and family | - Free if funded by PayPal balance or bank account (where no currency conversion is involved) - Fixed fee + 3.4% for card payments |
| Paying for an online purchase | Free where no currency conversion is involved |
| Sending an international payment | - $4.99 USD if funded by PayPal balance or bank account - $4.99 USD + 3.4% + fixed fee if funded by card |
| Currency conversion fee | 4% |
| Withdrawing money from a PayPal account to a bank account | - No fee if withdrawal amount is over 20,000 KES - 105 KES if withdrawal amount is under 20,000 KES |
Manage your money in KES and 40+ currencies with Wise
PayPal isn’t the only solution for sending, spending and managing your money overseas. If you like the sound of a powerful multi-currency online account and a card that works in 150+ countries including Kenya, check out Wise.
Open a Wise account online and you can send money to and from Kenya 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 Kenyan ATMs for free (although double-check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fee).
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:
Sources last checked on date: 15-Oct-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.
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