Yes, but only if your bank is in a country PayPal supports
PayPal accepts bank accounts from over 200 countries and territories, but not all of them. You can add an international account to your PayPal wallet if your bank operates in a country on PayPal's supported list. The catch: PayPal's support for each country varies widely. Some countries get full functionality—you can send and receive money, withdraw to your local account, and link a debit card. Others get partial support, meaning you can receive money but not withdraw it, or you can link a card but not a bank account.
Before you start the process, check PayPal's country-by-country support page to see what your specific country allows. This matters because the steps you take and what you can actually do with the account depend entirely on where your bank is located.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal supports bank accounts in over 200 countries, but the level of support—what you can send, receive, and withdraw—differs by country.
- You add an international bank account through your PayPal wallet settings by providing your account number, routing information, and bank details in your local currency and format.
- PayPal verifies most international accounts through small test deposits (usually two small amounts) that arrive in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days.
- International withdrawals from PayPal to your bank account can take 3 to 5 business days or longer depending on your country and your bank's processing speed.
- If your country is not on PayPal's supported list, you cannot add a bank account directly, but you may be able to use a third-party service or receive money through alternative methods.
How to add your bank account to PayPal
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet (or Account on older versions). Select Link a bank account or Add a bank account. PayPal will ask you to choose your country first, then enter your bank details.
The information you need to provide depends on your country's banking system. Most countries require your account number and a routing or sort code. Some ask for your IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead. A few require your bank's SWIFT code. PayPal's form changes based on what you select, so it will only ask for the fields that explore to your location.
Enter your details exactly as they appear on your bank statements or in your online banking portal. Mismatched names, account numbers with spaces in the wrong places, or incorrect routing codes will cause verification to fail. If you are unsure of your routing information, log into your bank's website or call their customer service line—they can provide it in seconds.
Verification through test deposits
After you submit your bank details, PayPal sends two small deposits to your account—usually between $0.01 and $2 each, though amounts vary. These deposits appear in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. Check your bank statement for the exact amounts.
Once you see the deposits, return to PayPal and enter the two amounts in the verification field. PayPal confirms the match, and your account is linked. The entire process typically takes 3 to 5 business days from submission to verification, though it can be slower if your bank processes deposits slowly or if there are weekends or holidays in between.
If the deposits do not arrive after 5 business days, contact PayPal support with your bank details and the date you submitted them. Sometimes deposits fail silently if there is a mismatch in your account information. PayPal can resend them or, in some cases, verify your account through alternative methods.
What you can do once your account is linked
The functionality available to you depends on your country's support level. In countries with full support (most of Europe, Canada, Australia, and several others), you can withdraw money from your PayPal balance to your bank account, receive payments from other PayPal users, and in some cases send money internationally. In countries with partial support, you might only be able to receive money or only be able to link a card, not a bank account.
Check your country's specific rules on PayPal's support page before you rely on a particular feature. For example, if you are in a country where PayPal only allows receiving but not withdrawing, you will not be able to move money from PayPal back to your bank account—you would need to spend it through PayPal's payment network or use a workaround.
Withdrawal timing and fees
When you withdraw money from PayPal to your international bank account, the transfer goes through PayPal's banking partners, not directly. This adds time. Most international withdrawals take 3 to 5 business days to arrive, but some countries take longer—up to 10 business days is not unusual. Weekends and public holidays in your country or PayPal's processing location can extend this further.
PayPal charges a withdrawal fee for transfers to international accounts in most countries. The fee structure varies: some countries have a flat fee per withdrawal (often $2 to $5 USD equivalent), others have a percentage-based fee, and some have both. Check your country's fee schedule in PayPal's settings before you withdraw, because the fee comes out of the amount you are transferring.
If your country is not supported
If PayPal does not support your country at all, you cannot link a bank account directly. Your options are limited. Some users in unsupported countries open PayPal accounts but can only receive money—they cannot withdraw it to a local bank. Others use third-party services that act as intermediaries, accepting PayPal transfers and converting them to local currency for a fee, though these services carry higher risk and variable fees.
Another route is to ask the person sending you money to use an alternative service that your country does support—Wise (formerly TransferWise), Remitly, or a local money transfer service. These often have better rates and faster delivery for your specific country than PayPal does anyway.
Common problems and how to fix them
The most frequent issue is a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account. PayPal requires these to match exactly. If your bank account is under a slightly different spelling, a nickname, or a middle name you did not use on PayPal, the verification will fail. Update your PayPal name to match your bank account, then resubmit.
The second common problem is entering your routing or sort code incorrectly. Double-check this against your bank statement or your bank's website. A single digit wrong will cause the test deposits to fail. If you have already submitted and the deposits did not arrive, contact PayPal support with the correct code and ask them to resend.
A third issue arises when your bank rejects the deposits because they come from an unfamiliar source or because your account has restrictions. Some banks flag small international transfers as suspicious. Contact your bank and tell them to expect two small deposits from PayPal. Once they clear, you can verify them in PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to add a bank account to PayPal?
The submission takes minutes, but verification takes 3 to 5 business days. This is the time it takes for PayPal's test deposits to reach your bank account, plus the time for you to see them and enter the amounts back into PayPal. If your bank is slow or if there are weekends involved, it can stretch to a week.
Can I add a bank account from a different country than where I live?
Technically yes, but PayPal may flag it as unusual activity. Your PayPal account is tied to your residence country, and adding a bank account from a different country can trigger additional verification or account review. It is simpler to add an account from your country of residence.
What happens if the test deposits fail to arrive?
Wait 5 business days from the date you submitted your bank details. If they still have not arrived, contact PayPal support with your bank account information and submission date. They can investigate whether your bank rejected them or resend them. You may also need to contact your bank to confirm they are not blocking the transfers.
Can I withdraw money from PayPal if my country is not fully supported?
It depends on your country's support level. Some unsupported countries allow receiving but not withdrawing. Check PayPal's country-specific page to see what you can do. If withdrawals are not available, you will need to spend the money through PayPal or use a third-party service.
Why is my withdrawal taking longer than 5 business days?
International transfers are slower than domestic ones. Your bank may also process incoming international transfers on a different schedule than domestic transfers. Some banks batch international payments and process them once a day or once a week. Contact your bank to ask when they process international incoming transfers.