PayPal transfer limits - US guide [2025]

Sending money online is a breeze with platforms like PayPal, but understanding PayPal’s transfer limits is key to managing your transactions smoothly.

Whether you’re paying back a friend, shopping online, or running a business, PayPal imposes specific limits. Read on to learn what PayPal’s transfer limits are per day, per week, and how much you can send to and from your bank.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

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Does PayPal have a transfer limit?

Yes, PayPal does have some transfer limits. Most of the limitations apply on a per-transaction basis, but there are some daily limitations, as well, depending on what payment method you’re using.

The biggest factor you need to consider is whether your PayPal account has been verified. PayPal is under a legal obligation to gather some basic identifying information about the people who use the platform. As part of its compliance efforts, the company places stricter transfer limits on unverified accounts.

The good news is that you can remove these restrictions by verifying your PayPal account.

According to PayPal, there are two ways to verify your account:

• Add and confirm your bank account
• Apply for and be approved for one of the company’s PayPal Credit products.²

Once verified, you won’t be subject to the same PayPal transfer limit to banks and credit cards that unverified users are. That means you can send larger domestic and international wires without worrying about your transaction being delayed.

PayPal transfer limits overview

PayPal transfer limits depend on whether your account is verified and the transaction type (such as bank account or debit card). There aren’t separate limits for wire transfers. This simple framework makes it easy to understand when, how, and how much money you can send with PayPal.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the various transfer limits you’ll be subject to when using PayPal: ¹

What is PayPal’s weekly transfer limit?

PayPal doesn’t have a fixed weekly transfer limit for verified or unverified accounts. However, you’ll encounter a weekly debit card transfer limit of 5,000 USD.¹ There’s also a monthly debit card transfer limit of 15,000 USD.

If you make transfers using your bank account, you’ll only be subject to the per-transaction limits outlined above.

The bad news is that those transfers aren’t always instant, unless you’re using an approved institution. The good news is that standard bank transfers don’t include any fees. Therefore, it all comes down to whether speed or cost is your top priority.

What is PayPal’s daily transfer limit?

PayPal doesn’t have daily transfer limits for bank account transactions. However, the per-day debit card transfer limit is 5,000 USD.¹ If you transfer that amount in a single day with your debit card, you’ll be capped out for the entire week.

For general bank account transactions, unverified accounts can send up to 4,000 USD. If your account is verified, you can send up to 60,000 USD per transaction. However, PayPal states that it may impose a 10,000 USD cap.¹

PayPal’s website doesn’t provide a clear breakdown of when or how the cap is determined. However, the company likely makes its decision based on the user’s recent activity, the type of currency, and the destination country.

PayPal international transfer limits

When it comes to international transfers, PayPal’s limits are similar to domestic ones. However, you’ll need to account for factors like currency conversion and country-specific regulations.

For verified accounts, the PayPal transfer limit is up to 60,000 USD per transaction. Just keep that 10,000 USD cap in mind.

If you know you’re sending a large sum of money to a destination that’s subject to the lower per-transaction cap, you might want to explore an alternative like Wise. Otherwise, you may have to send multiple PayPal transactions to get the funds to their destination. As you can imagine, that can quickly become frustrating and expensive.

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How can you check your PayPal transfer limits?

To see which limits apply to your PayPal account, you’ll need to:

• log in to your PayPal account
• select “My Account”
• open the Overview page and click “View Limits”
• click “Lift Limits”
• choose one of the options for lifting your sending limits
• follow the on-screen instructions

Once you’ve verified your account, you won’t be subject to daily or weekly sending limits. You’ll be able to send up to 60,000 USD per transaction unless you’re using a currency or sending to a destination that’s subject to the 10,000 USD per-transaction cap.

Can you increase your PayPal transfer limits?

You can increase your PayPal transfer limit by verifying your account. However, there’s no way to exceed the per-transaction or debit card transfer limits set for verified accounts. You can’t increase the instant bank transfer limit beyond the established cap, either.

What’s the minimum PayPal transfer limit?

Technically, there isn’t a minimum for standard transfers. There’s a 1.00 USD minimum for instant transfers to debit cards. These low (or non-existent) minimums make PayPal a useful solution for small transactions.

Keep in mind that there are fees associated with instant transfers, and make sure to account for those charges before choosing a transfer method. If you don’t mind waiting 1–3 business days to get your money, opt for a standard bank transfer to avoid fees.

What are PayPal’s transfer fees and charges?

PayPal’s standard debit card transfer fee is 1.75%. They charge a minimum of 0.25 USD and a maximum of 25 USD.

International personal transactions using a bank account, card, or PayPal balance are subject to a 5% fee. The minimum charge is 0.99 USD, and the maximum charge is 4.99 USD.

You’ll also be subject to markups and currency-conversion fees when sending money internationally.

Things to keep in mind when transferring high amounts

When sending substantial amounts via PayPal, be aware of:

• low unverified account transfer limits
• processing times
• variable per-transaction caps (e.g., 10,000 USD–60,000 USD)
• intermediary fees

While PayPal has very permissive transfer limits and relatively low fees, it may not be the best option for all of your financial needs.

To start sending low-fee international transfers across the world, check out Wise.

Sources:

1. PayPal - PayPal business transfer limits: Maximum and minimum
2. PayPal - How do I verify my PayPal account?
3. PayPal - PayPal Consumer Fees