PayPal and your debit card

By linking your PayPal account to your debit card, credit card or bank account, you can pay for your online purchases and send quick and convenient international money transfers without entering your card or account information each time.

This guide will walk you through how to link PayPal and a debit card, what to do if you encounter any issues and how to use PayPal effectively.

Can I link my debit card to my PayPal account?

Yes, you can link an Interac debit, Visa debit, Mastercard debit or credit card to your PayPal account. However, if you have an Interac debit card, you can only add it to your PayPal account by linking your bank account.

How to link PayPal and a debit card:

1. Sign up or log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
2. Click the Wallet link near the top of the page.
3. Click on Link a card.
4. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV and billing address.
5. Click Link card.

How to link PayPal and a bank account:

1. Sign up or log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
2. Click the Wallet link near the top of the page.
3. Click on Link a bank.
4. Search for your bank in the dropdown list and click on it.
5. Enter your card number or username and password. Then, click Agree and Link.
6. Or, click on Link your bank another way, select the account type, bank transit number, institution number and account number, or just the routing and account number if you’re adding a U.S. bank account. It can take two to three business days to add your bank account to your PayPal account with this method, though.

Confirm your debit card with a PayPal code

In some cases, you may need to confirm your card with PayPal by requesting a PayPal code. You’ll know if you need to do this as a Confirm Card link will appear next to your card details.

To confirm your card, you’ll need to:

1. Log in to your account with your email address and password.
2. Click Wallet, followed by selecting the card you want to confirm.
3. Click the Confirm your card link.
4. Read the directions for confirming the small charge from PayPal on your card (which will be refunded after you confirm), and then click Get a code.
5. It should take about 2–3 business days for the $2.45 temporary charge to be applied to your card. This is a temporary charge to confirm that your card is able to be used with PayPal, and it allows PayPal to send you a unique code on your card statement. Once you have confirmed your card, this charge will typically be refunded within a few minutes, but the process can take up to 30 days with some card providers.
6. After you see the charge, navigate back to your Wallet and then to the card that needs to be confirmed. Enter the 4-digit code that appeared on your bank statement or transaction history along with the $2.45 charge from PayPal and click Confirm.

You can now add money to PayPal from your debit card.

How do I link my credit card to PayPal?

Linking a credit card to PayPal works exactly like linking a Visa or Mastercard debit card. Follow the steps above to link your Visa, American Express, or Mastercard.

How does PayPal work?

PayPal’s online payments system allows you to send and receive money online from almost anywhere in the world. It uses encryption software to help users send electronic money transfers to other PayPal customers, allowing you to instantly pay for purchases online and on your phone.

There are three ways you can add money or pay for purchases through your PayPal account:

• Using your PayPal balance. This is always the first option when buying something online.
• Using your bank account. You can link your checking or savings account to your PayPal account to pay for purchases online.
• Using your credit or debit card. You can also add money to PayPal from your debit card or credit card.

How can I remove a debit or credit card from my PayPal account?

If you no longer want your debit or credit card to be linked to your PayPal account:

1. Log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
2. Click the Wallet link near the top of the page.
3. Click the card you’d like to remove and then click Remove card, which is near the bottom of the page.
4. Click Remove this card on the pop-up window.

What debit or credit cards can I use with PayPal?

You can use the following debit and credit cards with PayPal:

• Visa (credit or Visa Debit)
• Mastercard (credit or Mastercard Debit)
• American Express
• Interac debit cards by linking your bank account

Can I transfer money to my debit card?

Yes, if you have money in your PayPal balance, you can transfer it to the debit card associated with your linked bank account. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
2. Click on Transfer Money, which is right under your PayPal balance.
3. Click Transfer in Minutes to get your funds within 30 minutes. However, a fee of 1.75% (capped at $25) applies.
4. If you don’t mind waiting 3–5 business days, click Not now and enter the amount you want to transfer. If your balance isn’t in Canadian dollars, PayPal will show you its conversion rate and the amount you’ll receive in CAD.
5. Choose the bank account you want to receive the funds, then click Transfer Now.

Is it safer to pay with my debit card through PayPal when shopping online?

Yes, using your debit card through PayPal can be safer than entering your details directly on a retailer’s website. While debit cards generally offer fewer protections than credit cards when it comes to online shopping, PayPal adds a layer of security that can reduce your risk.

When you pay through PayPal, the seller never sees your actual debit card number. Instead, PayPal acts as a middleman, processing the payment on your behalf. This helps shield your financial details from potential data breaches or fraudulent websites.

PayPal also has its own dispute resolution process. If you don’t receive your item or it arrives significantly different from what was described, you may be able to file a claim through PayPal and get your money back, even if you used a debit card.

Just remember, if you’re paying a merchant in a foreign currency, PayPal charges a currency conversion fee.

What is the PayPal Debit Card and can I get one in Canada?

PayPal partnered with Bancorp Bank, N.A., to create a PayPal Debit Card that you can use to access your PayPal balance and make purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The card offers 5% cashback, fee-free withdrawals and no monthly fees. However, it’s only available to users in the United States, so Canadians cannot get a PayPal debit card.

Why would PayPal not accept a debit card?

If you try to add your debit card to your PayPal account and get an error message, here are some of the reasons why this might happen.

Missing or incorrect card details

Start by checking whether you entered the right card number, expiration date and CVV.

Different billing address

You can only add a debit card that’s registered to your name and address. So, you’ll get an error message if you try adding someone else’s card, you input your address incorrectly or your card has a different address than the one you used to create your PayPal account.

Authorization charge declined

When you link a new card to your account, PayPal will send you a $2.45 authorization charge to check whether the card is active. If your card issuer rejects the charge or you don’t have enough funds, you won’t be able to link your card. Try contacting the card issuer directly to resolve the problem.

Limit of cards in account reached

If your PayPal account is unverified, you can only link four cards, but if you verify it, you can link up to 24 cards. To verify your PayPal account, you can either add and confirm your bank account, debit or credit card.

Card linked to another PayPal account

You can only link a card to one PayPal account at a time. If it’s linked to an old account you no longer use, you can close the account entirely or simply remove your card. If you’ve never had a PayPal account and believe your card was stolen, contact your bank and PayPal to let them know.

Wrong CVV code

If you enter the three-digit code on the back of your Visa or Mastercard debit card incorrectly three times, you’ll get an error message. Make sure you double-check this number before trying to add your card again.

For more, read our 14 reasons your debit card was declined guide

Bottom line

PayPal allows you to link your credit card, debit card or bank account directly so that you can easily spend your money online without entering your card or account information for each purchase. But to make your money even more accessible, compare chequing accounts to find one that offers online banking, good customer service and money management options that fit your needs.

PayPal and debit cards FAQ

• Does it cost anything to open a PayPal account?

  No, it's free to sign up for a PayPal account.

• How do I sign up for a PayPal account?

  1. Go to PayPal's website and click Sign up.
  2. Select a Personal Account or Business Account.
  3. Choose your country, then click Get Started.
  4. Follow the onscreen prompts to enter your email address, password and personal details.
  5. Verify your email and phone number.
  6. Once your account is set up, you can add a debit card, credit card or bank account.

• Will I be charged a cash advance fee when I send funds using my credit or debit card?

  No, you won't be charged a cash advance fee when you use your debit or credit card to send money.

• How do I change the expiration date of the credit or debit card linked to my PayPal account?

  Log in to your PayPal account and click Wallet at the top of the page. Choose the card you'd like to update, click Update card, enter the new information and click the Update card button.

• What happens if I fail to confirm my debit or credit card?

  If you enter your card code incorrectly five times, your debit or credit card will be disabled from the PayPal system. You'll need to contact PayPal for the card to be reset.

Written by

Rebecca Low

Writer

Rebecca Low is a writer for Finder. She has contributed to a range of digital publications, including income.ca, Indeed, and Expatden, writing on topics like personal finance, career development, and travel. See full bio

Co-written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Tim's expertise

Tim has written 502 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal Loans
• Car Loans
• Stock Trading
• Cryptocurrency