PayPal lets you send money directly to another person's PayPal account using their email address or phone number, and the transfer usually arrives within minutes to a few hours

The simplest route is to log into your PayPal account, click "Send & Request," enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, and confirm. The money moves from your PayPal balance or linked bank account to their PayPal account. No fees apply when you send money to friends and family in the same country using this method — but if you send money as a payment for goods or services, PayPal charges a percentage fee plus a flat amount.

The recipient does not need to do anything on their end. If they have a PayPal account, the money lands in their account immediately. If they do not yet have one, PayPal holds the money and sends them a notification with a link to claim it — they have 30 days to open an account and accept the transfer before it returns to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Sending money to another PayPal user costs nothing when you label it as a personal transfer to friends and family, but costs 2.2% plus $0.30 when you send it as a payment for goods or services.
  • You can send from your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card, though using a card usually triggers a cash advance fee from your card issuer.
  • The recipient receives the money within minutes if they have an active PayPal account, or within 30 days if they need to create one first.
  • International transfers to PayPal accounts in other countries cost more and may take longer, depending on the destination country and your payment method.

The difference between "friends and family" and "goods or services"

PayPal treats these two transfer types differently, and choosing the wrong one costs you money. When you send money to a friend, family member, or anyone for a personal reason, you select "Send money to friends and family" — this transfer is free. When you send money because someone sold you something or performed a service for you, you select "Send money for goods or services" — PayPal charges you a fee.

The fee for goods or services is 2.2% of the amount plus $0.30. On a $100 transfer, that is $2.50. On a $500 transfer, that is $11.30. Do not use the goods or services option for personal transfers just because you feel like it — PayPal can reverse the transaction and hold your account if it detects a pattern of misuse.

If someone asks you to send money as goods or services when it is actually a personal transfer, that is a red flag. Scammers sometimes request this because it makes the transaction harder to reverse if something goes wrong.

What payment method to use

You can send money from three sources: your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card. Your PayPal balance is money you have already added to your account or received from someone else. A linked bank account pulls the money directly from your checking or savings account at no extra cost. A linked debit card works the same way.

A linked credit card is possible but usually costs you more. Most credit card companies treat PayPal transfers as cash advances, which means they charge you a cash advance fee (usually 3% to 5%) on top of any PayPal fee. If you are sending money as goods or services, you pay both the credit card cash advance fee and the PayPal fee — that adds up quickly.

If you have a choice, use your PayPal balance or a linked bank account. If your balance is low and you need to send money now, a debit card is the next best option. Avoid credit cards unless you have no other way.

How long the transfer takes

If the recipient has an active PayPal account, the money arrives in their account within minutes to a few hours, usually on the same day. PayPal does not hold the money or require the recipient to do anything — it just shows up.

If the recipient does not have a PayPal account yet, PayPal sends them an email or text notification with a link 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 account automatically.

International transfers take longer. Money sent to a PayPal account in another country may take one to three business days, depending on the destination country and your payment method. Some countries have restrictions or additional requirements that can delay the transfer further.

Sending money internationally

You can send money to PayPal accounts in most countries, but the cost and speed depend on where you are sending it. Transfers between PayPal accounts in different countries usually cost more than domestic transfers. PayPal charges a currency conversion fee (typically 2% to 3%) when the money crosses borders, and some countries have additional fees or restrictions.

Before you send, check the PayPal website for the specific fees and timing for the destination country. Some countries have limits on how much you can send in a single transfer or per month. If you are sending a large amount or to a country with restrictions, you may need to split the transfer into multiple payments or use a different method.

What to do if the transfer fails or gets stuck

Most transfers go through without problems, but sometimes they get delayed or rejected. Common reasons include a mismatch between the recipient's email address and their PayPal account, insufficient funds in your account, or a security hold on your account.

If a transfer fails, PayPal sends you a notification explaining why. Check that you entered the recipient's email address or phone number correctly — even a single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail. If the address is correct, check your PayPal balance or linked account to make sure you have enough money. If you do, contact PayPal support through your account and describe what happened. They can tell you whether a security hold is blocking the transfer or whether something else went wrong.

If you sent money to someone and they say they never received it, ask them to check their PayPal account directly — sometimes notifications go to spam. If they truly do not see it after 24 hours, log into your own account and look at your transaction history. PayPal shows you the status of every transfer, including whether it is pending, completed, or failed.

Security and scam prevention

PayPal transfers are generally safe when you send money to someone you know and trust. The main risk is sending money to a scammer who is pretending to be someone else. Before you send, verify the recipient's identity through another method — a phone call, a text message, or an in-person conversation. Scammers are good at impersonating others online, so do not rely on email alone.

Be especially cautious if someone asks you to send money as goods or services, asks you to send it urgently, or asks you to send it to an account that is different from the one they usually use. These are common scam tactics. If something feels off, do not send the money.

Once you send money to another PayPal account, you cannot reverse the transfer yourself. You can only ask PayPal to reverse it if the recipient agrees, or you can ask PayPal to investigate if you believe you were scammed. Reversals take time and are not always possible, so prevention is your best defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. PayPal sends them a notification with a link 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 account.

What is the maximum amount I can send?

PayPal does not publish a single maximum, but limits vary based on your account history, verification status, and the recipient's country. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. Check your account settings or contact PayPal support to find out your specific limit.

Do I pay a fee if I send money to a friend?

No, as long as you select "Send money to friends and family" when you make the transfer. If you select "Send money for goods or services," PayPal charges you 2.2% plus $0.30, even if it is actually a personal transfer.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

If the recipient has not claimed the money yet, you can cancel it through your transaction history and the money returns to your account. Once they claim it, you cannot cancel it yourself — you can only ask them to send it back or ask PayPal to investigate if you believe you were scammed.

What if the recipient's email address changed?

If you sent money to an old email address and the recipient no longer uses it, the money stays in PayPal's system for 30 days. The recipient can claim it if they log into PayPal with that old email address, or you can cancel the transfer and resend it to their new email address.