How to Transfer Money via PayPal Internationally (2026)
PayPal is one of the most widely recognised payment platforms in the world, available in more than 200 countries and 25 currencies. But when it comes to international transfers, the platform that feels convenient for everyday payments becomes one of the more expensive ways to send money abroad. Understanding how to transfer money via PayPal internationally, and exactly what it costs, can save you a significant amount on every transaction.
The core issue with using PayPal for international payments is the currency conversion fee. PayPal applies a 3-4% markup above the mid-market exchange rate on most cross-border transfers. On a $1,000 transfer, that markup alone can cost $30 to $40 before you factor in any transaction fees. For regular senders, those amounts add up quickly.
This guide covers how to send money internationally with PayPal step by step, what the real cost looks like on a concrete example, how long PayPal international transfers take, and which specialist money transfer services give you more for your money. If you want to transfer money via PayPal internationally, understanding these costs before you send is essential. If you are already using PayPal for international payments, you may be paying two to four times more than necessary.
Can You Transfer Money Internationally via PayPal?
Yes, you can transfer money internationally via PayPal. The platform supports cross-border payments between personal accounts in more than 200 countries and territories. As long as both the sender and recipient have verified PayPal accounts, a PayPal international transfer is straightforward to initiate from the app or website.
However, there are some important constraints to understand before you send. Not all countries support all currencies, and PayPal's currency coverage is limited to around 25 currencies compared to 40-70 for specialist transfer services. PayPal also imposes sending limits on unverified accounts, typically capping transfers at $500 until your identity is verified. Once verified, limits increase substantially, but PayPal may still flag large transfers for review.
The method you use to fund the transfer also affects the cost. Paying from your PayPal balance or linked bank account is cheaper than paying by debit or credit card, which adds a percentage fee on top of the conversion markup. Understanding these distinctions before you send is what separates an acceptable PayPal international payment from an unnecessarily expensive one.
How to Transfer Money via PayPal Internationally
The process to send money internationally with PayPal takes only a few minutes once your account is set up and verified. Millions of people use PayPal to transfer money internationally each year, but very few check the costs in advance. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Log in to your PayPal account on the website or mobile app.
- Click 'Send & Request' from the main dashboard.
- Enter the recipient's email address or mobile number linked to their PayPal account.
- Enter the amount you want to send and select your currency.
- Choose 'Sending to a friend' or 'Paying for an item or service' depending on the purpose.
- Select your funding source: PayPal balance, linked bank account, or card.
- Review the fees and exchange rate shown on the confirmation screen before confirming.
- Confirm the payment and the transfer is initiated.
One step that many users skip is the fee review screen. PayPal shows you the exchange rate it is applying and the resulting amount the recipient will receive before you confirm. Always check this screen carefully. The rate PayPal applies to a PayPal international transfer is typically 3-4% worse than the mid-market rate you see on Google or XE. On anything above $200, that difference is material.
Also note that the recipient needs a PayPal account to receive the funds into their PayPal balance. If they want the money in their bank account, they need to withdraw from PayPal to their bank, which can take an additional 1-3 business days and may involve another fee depending on their country.
PayPal International Transfer Fees: What Does It Actually Cost?
The PayPal international transfer fee structure has two components: the transaction fee and the currency conversion fee. Both apply on most cross-border transfers, though their exact amounts depend on your country, the recipient's country, and your funding source.
Currency Conversion Fee
The currency conversion fee is the largest cost on most PayPal international payments. PayPal adds a 3% to 4% markup above the mid-market exchange rate, which is the rate you see on Google or Bloomberg. For a transfer from USD to GBP, EUR, or any major currency, that typically means the recipient receives 3-4% less than if you had used a service that passes the mid-market rate.
On a $1,000 transfer, a 3.5% conversion markup costs around $35 in lost value. On $5,000, that is $175. On regular transfers of $500 per month, the annual cost of using PayPal's conversion rate versus a mid-market rate service like Wise is roughly $200 to $250 per year, a significant sum with no corresponding benefit to the sender or recipient.
Transaction Fees
On top of the conversion markup, PayPal charges transaction fees that depend on how you fund the PayPal international transfer. If you fund from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account and the transfer is categorised as a personal payment, PayPal charges a fixed fee that varies by country: for US senders, this is typically between $0.99 and $2.99 for international personal payments.
If you pay by credit card or debit card, an additional 2.9% card funding fee applies on top of everything else. Using a card to send money internationally via PayPal is therefore particularly expensive. Always fund from your bank balance or PayPal balance to minimise costs.
Cost Example: Sending $1,000 from the US to the UK
Method | Transfer Fee | Exchange Rate Markup | Total Cost | Recipient Gets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayPal (bank/balance) | $0.99 | ~3.5% ($35) | ~$36 | ~$964 in GBP value |
PayPal (credit card) | $0.99 + 2.9% ($29) | ~3.5% ($35) | ~$65 | ~$935 in GBP value |
Wise (bank) | ~$6.11 | 0% (mid-market rate) | ~$6 | ~$994 in GBP value |
Remitly (bank) | ~$3.99 | ~0.5% ($5) | ~$9 | ~$991 in GBP value |
The table illustrates the core problem with using PayPal to send money to another country. The exchange rate markup, not the transaction fee, is where most of the cost is hidden. A reader checking only PayPal's advertised fees might see $0.99 and think the transfer is nearly free, but the actual cost is closer to $36 once the rate markup is included.
Find Out What Your Transfer Actually Costs
Use the comparison tool below to see live rates from Wise, Remitly, Xe, and other specialist services. Enter the amount you want to send and select your currencies to see real costs alongside PayPal.
How Long Does a PayPal International Transfer Take?
Transfer timing for a PayPal international payment depends on both the funding method and the recipient's country. When you pay from your PayPal balance, transfers between accounts are typically instant or arrive within minutes. When you fund from a linked bank account, the bank transfer to PayPal can take 3-5 business days before the payment leaves PayPal, meaning the recipient may wait a week or more in total.
If the recipient needs to withdraw from PayPal to their local bank account, add another 1-3 business days. In practice, a PayPal international transfer funded from a bank account and withdrawn to a bank account at the other end can take 5-10 business days end to end. For urgent transfers, this makes PayPal a poor choice.
Specialist services are significantly faster. Wise delivers most major-corridor transfers within 1-2 business days, and Remitly offers same-day delivery to many destinations including India, Mexico, the Philippines, and the UK when you pay by debit card. Xe typically settles within 1-4 business days. If speed matters, any of these services outperforms a standard PayPal international transfer.
Is PayPal Safe for International Transfers?
Yes, PayPal is a safe and regulated platform for international transfers. In the United States, PayPal is licensed as a money transmitter in all 50 states and regulated by FinCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). In the EU, PayPal operates as a licensed e-money institution regulated by the Luxembourg Financial Intelligence Unit. In the UK, it holds authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
PayPal also offers buyer and seller protection on eligible transactions, though this applies primarily to commercial payments rather than personal money transfers. For personal international payments, your primary protection is PayPal's encryption and fraud monitoring, not purchase protection guarantees. If you are sending a large personal transfer internationally, the security of the funds themselves is not in doubt, but PayPal provides less recourse if you send to the wrong email address compared to a bank-to-bank wire.
PayPal's Buyer Protection and Seller Protection policies are well-established and the platform has processed trillions in payments globally. From a safety standpoint, PayPal international payments are reliable. The concern is cost and speed, not security.
Cheaper Alternatives to Sending Money Internationally via PayPal
If you transfer money via PayPal internationally and find the fees higher than expected, you are not alone. Learning how to send money internationally with PayPal cheaply is a question many users search for, and the honest answer is that specialist money transfer services deliver the same result at a fraction of the cost. The three services below all hold strong regulatory licences, have millions of customers, and consistently outperform PayPal on cost for cross-border transfers.
Wise
Wise is the strongest alternative to PayPal for international transfers if your priority is getting the best exchange rate. Where PayPal applies a 3-4% markup above the mid-market rate, Wise passes the mid-market rate with zero markup and charges a small, transparent fee of 0.4% to 1% depending on the currency pair and payment method. On a $1,000 transfer, the real cost difference between PayPal and Wise is typically $25 to $35 in the recipient's pocket.
Wise supports transfers between 40+ currencies and offers local bank account details in major markets including the UK, EU, US, Australia, and New Zealand. This means the recipient can receive funds directly into their bank account without needing a PayPal account. For anyone who regularly needs to send money to another country, the switch from a PayPal international transfer to Wise can save hundreds of pounds or dollars per year.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup. PayPal adds 3-4% on every currency conversion.
- Mid-market rate: no exchange rate markup
- Transparent fees: shown upfront, typically 0.4%-1%
- 40+ currencies supported
- Recipient gets funds directly into their bank account
- FCA, FinCEN, and AUSTRAC regulated with client funds safeguarded
Remitly
Remitly is built specifically for personal international money transfers, with strong coverage across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Unlike a standard PayPal international transfer, Remitly offers guaranteed delivery time commitments and will refund your fees if the transfer does not arrive on time. Its pricing is competitive: fees start from $0 on some corridors and typically range from $1.99 to $3.99, with a small exchange rate margin of around 0.5% to 1.5%.
Remitly also offers express delivery funded by debit or credit card, which can deliver to recipient bank accounts the same day in many markets. For senders who regularly send money to another country to support family, Remitly's combination of speed, competitive rates, and reliability makes it a strong upgrade over PayPal international payments.
Remitly commits to delivery times and refunds fees if transfers are late.
- Same-day delivery to many countries via express option
- Low fees: from $0 on select corridors
- Cash pickup available in addition to bank deposits
- FinCEN licensed and regulated in all US states
Xe
Xe is one of the longest-established currency transfer services, processing transfers across 130+ currencies to 200+ countries. Its reach exceeds PayPal's in terms of currency coverage, making it particularly useful for transfers to less common currency pairs where PayPal may not support the destination currency at all. Xe's exchange rate margin is slightly higher than Wise, typically around 1% to 2%, but still significantly cheaper than the 3-4% that PayPal charges on most international payments.
Xe does not charge transfer fees on most corridors, relying entirely on the exchange rate margin. This makes it straightforward to compare: you see the rate, you see what the recipient gets, no separate fee line. Transfers typically settle within 1-4 business days, with same-day available on some major corridors. For wide currency access and simple, transparent pricing, Xe is a reliable alternative to sending money internationally via PayPal.
Xe supports 130+ currencies, far more than PayPal's 25, with no transfer fees.
- 130+ currencies to 200+ countries
- No transfer fees: cost is in the exchange rate only
- Competitive margins: typically 1-2% vs PayPal's 3-4%
- Transfers settle in 1-4 business days
PayPal vs Wise: Which Is Better for International Transfers?
For most international money transfers, Wise is the better choice. The core reason is the exchange rate: PayPal adds a 3-4% markup above the mid-market rate on currency conversions, while Wise uses the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee. On every transfer above $100, Wise delivers more money to the recipient than a comparable PayPal international transfer.
PayPal has advantages in specific situations. If both the sender and recipient already have PayPal accounts, small personal payments between friends are frictionless. PayPal also offers buyer protection on goods and services payments. And for countries where Wise does not yet operate, PayPal's 200+ country reach may be the deciding factor.
But for regular transfers where the goal is maximising what the recipient receives, PayPal international payments carry a cost disadvantage that is structural, not incidental. Wise, Remitly, and Xe all exist to solve exactly this problem. Switching takes a few minutes to set up, and the savings on the first transfer alone typically cover any perceived inconvenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you transfer money internationally via PayPal?
Yes, you can transfer money internationally via PayPal. The service is available in more than 200 countries and supports payments between verified PayPal accounts in 25 currencies. To send, you need the recipient's PayPal-linked email address or mobile number. The recipient must have a PayPal account to receive funds. PayPal is a legitimate and regulated service for international payments, though it is typically more expensive than specialist money transfer services due to its currency conversion markup.
How do you transfer money internationally via PayPal?
To transfer money via PayPal internationally, log in to your account, click 'Send and Request', enter the recipient's email address, choose the amount and currency, select your funding source, and confirm the payment. PayPal will show you the exchange rate it is applying and the fee before you confirm. Always review the rate carefully, as PayPal's conversion rate includes a 3-4% markup above the mid-market rate. For amounts above $200, the conversion cost is typically the largest single expense on the transfer.
How much does PayPal charge for international transfers?
PayPal charges two types of fees on international transfers. First, a transaction fee: for personal payments funded from a PayPal balance or bank account, this is typically a small fixed fee such as $0.99 in the US. For card-funded transfers, an additional 2.9% funding fee applies. Second, and more significantly, PayPal adds a 3% to 4% markup above the mid-market exchange rate on any currency conversion. On a $500 transfer, the combined cost is typically $15 to $25, versus $3 to $8 on a comparable specialist service like Wise or Remitly.
How long does a PayPal international transfer take?
A PayPal international transfer can take anywhere from a few minutes to more than a week depending on the funding method. Transfers funded from your PayPal balance are typically instant between accounts. Transfers funded from a linked bank account take 3-5 business days for the funds to reach PayPal before the payment is sent, and the recipient may need another 1-3 business days to withdraw to their bank. For urgent international transfers, specialist services like Remitly (same-day on many corridors) or Wise (typically 1-2 business days) are significantly faster.
Can I send money internationally via PayPal for free?
There is no fully free way to send money internationally via PayPal. While PayPal's personal payment transaction fee can be $0 in some cases when funding from a balance in the same currency, any transfer involving a currency conversion incurs PayPal's 3-4% exchange rate markup. This is not shown as a separate fee line but is embedded in the exchange rate PayPal quotes. The only way to avoid PayPal's currency conversion cost is to send in the recipient's local currency from a balance you already hold in that currency, which is rarely practical.
What is the PayPal international transfer limit?
PayPal's international transfer limits depend on your account verification status. Unverified accounts are typically limited to $500 per transaction. Once you verify your identity by providing ID and confirming your bank account, sending limits increase substantially. Verified US accounts can typically send up to $10,000 per transaction and higher amounts in aggregate, though PayPal may request additional documentation for very large transfers. PayPal also imposes daily and monthly aggregate limits that vary by country.
Is PayPal safe for international money transfers?
Yes, PayPal is a safe platform for international money transfers. It is licensed and regulated as a money transmitter in the US (FinCEN), as an e-money institution in the EU (Luxembourg Financial Intelligence Unit), and holds FCA authorisation in the UK. PayPal uses 128-bit SSL encryption and offers two-factor authentication. The platform has processed over $1 trillion in payment volume and has a strong track record on security. The main concerns with PayPal international transfers are cost and speed, not safety.
Does PayPal use the real exchange rate?
No, PayPal does not use the real (mid-market) exchange rate. PayPal adds a 3% to 4% markup above the mid-market rate on currency conversions. The mid-market rate is the rate used between banks and the rate you see on Google, Bloomberg, or XE.com. PayPal's quoted rate is less favourable than this by several percentage points. Services like Wise pass the mid-market rate with no markup, charging only a small transparent fee. On any transfer involving a currency conversion, the difference between PayPal's rate and the mid-market rate is the single largest cost to the sender.
What countries can I send money to with PayPal?
PayPal supports transfers to more than 200 countries and territories, making it one of the most widely accessible international payment platforms. However, its currency coverage is limited to approximately 25 currencies, meaning the recipient may receive funds in USD or EUR even if their local currency is different. This can trigger an additional conversion on the recipient's end. Specialist services like Xe support 130+ currencies and Wise supports 40+ currencies, offering better direct-currency coverage for recipients in less common markets.
Can I send money to a bank account internationally with PayPal?
PayPal does not send money directly to a recipient's bank account in most standard transfer flows. Instead, the funds go into the recipient's PayPal balance, and the recipient then withdraws to their local bank account. This withdrawal step takes an additional 1-3 business days and may involve a fee depending on the recipient's country. PayPal's Xoom service, which is a separate product, does offer direct bank deposits in many countries. Wise, Remitly, and Xe all deliver directly to bank accounts without an intermediate wallet step.
What is PayPal Xoom and how does it differ from standard PayPal?
Xoom is PayPal's dedicated international money transfer service, acquired in 2015. Unlike standard PayPal transfers that go into a recipient's PayPal wallet, Xoom sends money directly to bank accounts, cash pickup locations, and mobile wallets in 130+ countries. Xoom is faster and more direct than standard PayPal international payments for bank deposits. However, its fees and exchange rate margins are similar to or slightly better than standard PayPal, and it remains more expensive than dedicated transfer services like Wise or Remitly on most corridors.
How do I avoid PayPal international transfer fees?
You cannot fully avoid fees when you transfer money via PayPal internationally, because the currency conversion markup is embedded in the exchange rate and always applies when currencies differ. The best ways to reduce PayPal transfer costs are: fund from your bank balance rather than a card (avoids the 2.9% card fee), send in the same currency as the recipient to avoid conversion if possible, and use the Friends and Family option for personal transfers to avoid commercial fees. However, for meaningful savings, switching to a specialist service like Wise or Remitly eliminates the 3-4% conversion markup entirely.
Is Wise better than PayPal for international transfers?
For most international money transfers involving a currency conversion, Wise is significantly better than PayPal. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup, charging a small transparent fee of 0.4% to 1%. PayPal charges a 3-4% conversion markup on every cross-border transfer involving a different currency. On a $1,000 transfer, Wise typically costs $5 to $10 while PayPal costs $35 to $45 in total. Wise is also faster on many corridors, delivering within 1-2 business days versus PayPal's 3-7+ days for bank-funded transfers.
What is the cheapest way to send money internationally?
The cheapest way to send money internationally is typically through a specialist money transfer service like Wise, Remitly, or Xe rather than PayPal or a traditional bank. Wise consistently offers the closest rate to the mid-market rate with the lowest transparent fees, making it the benchmark for low-cost international transfers. For specific corridors like US to Mexico, Philippines, or India, Remitly often offers promotional rates with zero fees. Banks are the most expensive option, typically charging $25 to $50 in wire fees plus a 2-5% exchange rate markup, making them significantly worse than any specialist service.
Can you use PayPal to send money internationally to someone without a PayPal account?
No, standard PayPal international transfers require both the sender and recipient to have a PayPal account. The recipient's email address or phone number must be linked to an active PayPal account for the funds to land. If the recipient does not have an account, PayPal holds the funds and sends the recipient an email invitation to create one. The recipient then has 30 days to accept before the payment is returned. If you need to send money to someone without a PayPal account, services like Wise, Remitly, or Xe send directly to a bank account with no account creation required on the recipient's end.
The Bottom Line on PayPal International Transfers
PayPal makes it easy to transfer money internationally via PayPal: the interface is familiar, the process takes a few minutes, and it works in over 200 countries. But the cost structure works against the sender. The 3-4% exchange rate markup on currency conversions means every international transfer via PayPal is measurably more expensive than using a specialist service that passes the mid-market rate.
For small, one-off payments to friends who already use PayPal, the convenience may justify the cost. For regular transfers, family remittances, or any amount above a few hundred dollars, switching to Wise, Remitly, or Xe takes less time to set up than it does to read this guide, and the savings start on the first transfer. Understanding how to send money internationally with PayPal is the first step; switching to a cheaper service when the costs are too high is the second. Use the comparison tool above to see exactly how much more your recipient would receive with a specialist service compared to PayPal international payments.
Mohammad Humaid
Verified AuthorMo is the founder of MoneyTransferStore. As an expat who has experienced the challenges of sending money across borders himself, he set out to help others like him avoid hidden fees and unfair exchange rates on international transfers. With a background spanning fintech, payments, and Web3, Mo brings years of practical experience to building a platform focused on transparency and trust.
