Personal Finance Money transfer

How old do you have to be to have PayPal?

Adam Rozsa

31.05.22 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 1 minute

As one of the most popular payment processing companies in the world, PayPal is an enticing platform for people of all ages.

However, to use PayPal’s, “you must be a resident of the United States or one of its territories and at least 18 years old”.¹ ²

And if you’ve already reached your 18th birthday and are considering using PayPal for your international transfer, pause for a moment.

Wise offers international money transfers at the mid-market rate and lower fees, so you can maximize the amount of money you send.

Why does PayPal have an age limit?

The age limit has to do with the contract you sign when setting up an account. To enter into a legally binding contract in the United States, you must be 18 years old.

Can my parents create a PayPal account for me?

No, your parents can’t open an account for you anymore. The company used to offer a PayPal student account, but discontinued the service back in 2016.³

What happens if you create a PayPal account under 18?

Technically, if you’re under and want to create a PayPal account, there’s no one there to stop you physically. But it’s not recommended, as you can find yourself in legal trouble in the future and blocked from access to your funds.

Imagine if you set up an account a few months shy of your 18th birthday and continued to use the account for years. Over time, you send and receive thousands of dollars.

PayPal alternatives under 18

If you’re under 18 and require an account that allows you to hold funds and make transactions, there are a ton of options available.

Get a student account

The following student bank accounts all offer checking and savings accounts. You can also open a joint account if that better suits your needs.

International students can look into an international student credit card from Citibank.

Get Google Pay

Google Pay is another viable option for those under 18. They allow you to set up an account as long as you're 16. And those under 18 just need permission from their legal guardian.⁴

With Google Pay, you have access to Google Wallet, which allows you to hold funds for transactions and send money internationally.

Samsung Pay is another alternative for Android users.

What’s the age limit for PayPal internationally?

PayPal Global accounts also require you to be at least 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in your country or region of residence.⁵

Bottom line

PayPal is a globally popular choice for making payments and sending money. But we don’t recommend opening an account until you’re 18 years old.

But if you’re 18 or older and looking for a superb option for holding money and transferring money, choose Wise. You can hold over 50 currencies in a free account and transfer funds at the mid-market rate.

Learn more about Wise

Sources:

PayPal User Agreement
Interstate Commission for Juveniles - Age Matrix - Updated January 20, 2022
PayPal - Why is the PayPal Student Account being discontinued?
Google Pay Terms of Service
PayPal Global User Agreement

All sources checked on 31 May 2022

*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.