PayPal can send money to a credit card, but only under specific conditions
You can transfer money from PayPal to a credit card, but PayPal will not send the funds directly to the card itself. Instead, PayPal transfers money to the bank account linked to your credit card, and the card issuer then credits your account. This matters because the timing and the way the money appears depend on your bank, not PayPal.
The process works differently depending on whether you are trying to move money out of PayPal or send money to someone else's card. If you want to withdraw your own PayPal balance to a credit card you own, you link the card to your PayPal account and request a transfer. If you want to send money to another person's credit card, PayPal does not offer that option directly — you would need to send the money to their email address or phone number through PayPal's person-to-person transfer feature, and they would receive it in their PayPal account, not on their card.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal transfers to a credit card go to the bank account behind the card, not the card number itself, so timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
- You can only transfer your own PayPal balance to a credit card you own; you cannot send money directly to someone else's credit card through PayPal.
- Transfers to a linked credit card usually take one to three business days, though some banks process faster or slower.
- PayPal charges no fee to transfer to a linked card, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer depending on your account type.
How to link a credit card to your PayPal account
To transfer money from PayPal to your credit card, you first need to link the card to your PayPal account. Log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, and select "Link a card or bank." Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. PayPal will then make two small deposits to the bank account behind that card — usually within one to two business days — and you will need to confirm the amounts to verify you own the card.
This verification step protects both you and PayPal. Once the deposits appear in your bank account (not on your credit card statement, but in the account the card draws from), you return to PayPal and enter those amounts. After confirmation, the card is linked and you can transfer money to it.
Keep in mind that linking a credit card is different from linking a debit card or bank account. Credit cards are riskier for PayPal because the money is borrowed, not drawn from your own funds. Some credit card issuers also charge a fee when PayPal deposits money into the account, so check your card's terms before you link it.
The transfer process and how long it takes
Once your card is linked, transferring money is straightforward. In PayPal, go to your Wallet, select "Transfer Money," and choose "Transfer to your bank." Select the linked credit card from the dropdown, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is usually one to three business days.
The actual timing depends on your bank, not PayPal. PayPal sends the transfer when ready, but your bank controls when the money appears in your account. Some banks post transfers the same day; others take the full three business days. Weekends and holidays extend the timeline — a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
You can check the status of your transfer in PayPal's Activity section. Once PayPal has sent it, you will see a confirmation with a reference number. If the transfer does not arrive within the stated timeframe, contact your bank first, because the delay is almost always on their end.
Fees and costs to know about
PayPal charges no fee to transfer your balance to a linked credit card. However, your credit card issuer or bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer. This fee is not common with debit cards or bank accounts, but some credit card issuers treat incoming transfers as cash advances or deposits and charge accordingly.
Before you link your card, check your card's terms or call the issuer's customer service line and ask: "If PayPal deposits money into my account, will you charge me a fee?" The answer varies by card type and issuer. Some cards charge nothing; others charge a flat fee or a percentage. Knowing this upfront prevents surprises.
Also be aware that if you transfer money to a credit card, you are adding to your available credit, not paying down your balance. If you owe $500 on a card with a $2,000 limit, transferring $300 in gives you $2,300 in available credit, but your balance stays at $500 until you make a payment. This is different from sending money to a bank account, where the deposit directly increases your cash on hand.
Why you might want to transfer to a credit card instead of a bank account
Most people transfer PayPal money to a bank account or debit card because it is simpler and faster. But there are a few reasons you might choose a credit card instead. If you do not have a bank account or debit card, a credit card linked to a bank account is your only PayPal transfer option. If you are trying to increase your available credit quickly — for example, to make a large purchase — transferring money to a credit card does that when ready.
Another reason is if you are managing multiple accounts and want the transfer to go to a specific place. Some people link a credit card they use only for certain purchases, so the transferred money stays separate from their everyday spending.
However, these reasons are uncommon. In most cases, transferring to a bank account or debit card is faster, cheaper, and clearer. Use a credit card transfer only if you have a specific reason to do so.
What to do if your transfer fails or gets stuck
If you initiate a transfer and it does not arrive within the stated timeframe, start by checking PayPal's Activity log. Look for the transfer and see what status it shows. If PayPal shows the transfer as "completed" or "sent," the delay is with your bank. Contact your bank's customer service and provide them with PayPal's reference number for the transfer.
If PayPal shows the transfer as "pending" or "failed," the issue is on PayPal's end. Common reasons include an incorrect card number, an expired card, or a card that has been reported lost or stolen. Update your card information in PayPal and try again. If the card itself is the problem, link a different card or transfer to a bank account instead.
Transfers rarely fail completely, but they do sometimes get delayed. If your bank says they have not received anything after five business days, ask them to file a trace on the transfer. PayPal can also investigate on their end if you provide them with the reference number and the date you initiated the transfer.
Sending money to someone else's credit card through PayPal
PayPal does not allow you to send money directly to another person's credit card number. If you want to send money to someone else, you have two options. First, you can send money to their email address or phone number through PayPal's person-to-person transfer feature. They will receive the money in their PayPal account, and they can then transfer it to their own bank account or card.
Second, if the person does not have a PayPal account, you can send them a PayPal.me link or request their PayPal email address so they can create an account and receive your transfer. This is slower than a direct card-to-card transfer, but it is the only way PayPal allows person-to-person transfers to work.
If you need to send money to someone's credit card directly — without going through PayPal — you would need to use a different service, such as a wire transfer through your bank or a money transfer app that supports direct card deposits. Check what options your bank offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a credit card I do not own?
No. You can only transfer PayPal money to a credit card that is linked to your own PayPal account, which means you must own the card. PayPal verifies ownership by sending small deposits to the bank account behind the card and asking you to confirm the amounts.
Does PayPal charge a fee to transfer to a credit card?
PayPal does not charge a fee, but your credit card issuer may. Call your card issuer and ask whether they charge a fee for incoming transfers. The fee, if any, varies by card and bank.
How long does it take for money to show up after I transfer it?
PayPal typically shows the transfer as sent within minutes, but your bank controls when the money appears in your account. Most transfers arrive within one to three business days. Weekends and holidays can extend this to five business days.
What happens if I transfer money to a credit card I am paying off?
The transfer increases your available credit but does not pay down your balance. If you owe $500 on a $2,000 limit and transfer $300 in, you now have $2,300 available credit, but you still owe $500. You must make a separate payment to reduce what you owe.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a business credit card?
Yes, if the business credit card is linked to a business bank account and you can verify ownership of that account. The process is the same as with a personal credit card — PayPal sends verification deposits and you confirm the amounts.