How long does it take PayPal to send money?

If you have a PayPal balance, you can withdraw your money in several ways - including transferring money to your linked bank account, sending it to an eligible debit or credit card, or requesting your money from PayPal in the form of a check.

Receiving money onto your card or as an instant bank transfer is quickest - your balance will arrive in just a few minutes. However, there’s a fee to pay for this service. Standard bank transfers take 1 -3 business days usually, and moving your money out of a PayPal account by check takes the longest - possibly several weeks.

This guide covers how long it takes PayPal to send money by bank transfer, to a card or by check. But if you’re looking for a fast and cheap way to make international money transfers, you’ll want to know about Wise. With a Wise Account, you may save money when you send a payment internationally - more on that later.

Get a Wise Account today

Bank account

Once you have linked your bank account to your PayPal, you’ll be able to make a standard transfer of your balance, which will usually land in your bank in 1 to 3 days. Here’s how¹:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Transfer Money, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Select Transfer to your bank and then choose the account you want to send money to, being sure to select a standard payment
• Add the transfer amount
• Review, click Transfer Now, and confirm by selecting Done

Standard payments like this are free, although your own bank might charge you a fee to receive the money. Standard bank transfers usually arrive in a day or two, but can take up to 5 business days.

Debit or credit card

If you’re in a hurry you can have your money moved from your PayPal account to a card - or your linked bank account - in minutes. However, there’s a fee of 1.5% of the transfer value to pay for this service².

Here’s how to make an instant transfer from PayPal to your card or linked bank account:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Transfer Money, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Select Transfer to your bank and then choose the card or account you want to send money to, under the instant payment section
• Add the transfer amount
• Review, click Transfer Now, and confirm by selecting Done

Check

Transferring your money from PayPal using a check will cost 1.50 USD in fees. In the US, it’ll take 5 to 10 business days on average to get your check. Outside the US, it could take significantly longer to receive your check in the mail - up to 45 days³.

Here’s how to withdraw from PayPal by check:

• Log into your PayPal account
• Click Request check by mail, which is displayed under your PayPal balance
• Add the amount you want to withdraw
• Check your address is correct in your PayPal profile, and click Next
• Use the online prompts to complete the request

Meet Wise - and get fast & low-cost international transfers

Getting money out of PayPal may not always be fast. But Wise international payments usually are. In fact, on popular routes, your money may arrive in just seconds.

Send money online with Wise to get speedy international payments all around the world. All currency exchange uses the real mid-market rate, with no markup and no hidden fees.

See how much you can save in comparison with PayPal:

The speed of transaction claim depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.

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

Bottom line

You have several different options when it comes to withdrawing your PayPal balance. It’s possible to get your money for free using a standard bank transfer - if you have the time to wait. It’s also worth noting that there may be an extra day’s delay for standard transfers initiated after 7pm ET⁴.

If you’re in a hurry, you’ll need to pay a 1.5% fee for an instant transfer to a card or bank account². Plan in advance if possible, to avoid fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sending money through PayPal instant?

PayPal offers different services to allow customers to withdraw their funds. If you need an instant transfer you can move your PayPal balance to an eligible card or your linked bank account in minutes, for a fee of 1.5% of the transfer value².

Why do PayPal transfers take so long?

Some types of PayPal transfer simply take longer - like standard bank transfers made out of hours or on public holidays, and check withdrawals. However, sometimes PayPal transfers are also held up if they need to be reviewed, or if there’s an issue with your own bank.

Check your PayPal account if you’re experiencing problems - payments marked as pending may be under review. If your transfer is delayed due to an issue with your own bank, you’ll get an email from PayPal to explain the situation.

All sources checked on 25 October 2021