How to send money via PayPal
PayPal is one of the largest digital money companies in the world, and it has millions of customers who use it to transfer their money around the world. Although very popular, you should take the time to review PayPal as a money transfer platform before you start using it to send money abroad, as there are a number of factors about PayPal that may or may not suit you.
In this blog we will analyse PayPal’s international money transfer features, and show you how to send money through PayPal, to help you decide whether it’s the right transfer service for you!
How do I send money via PayPal?
PayPal is an online service that is accessed via your web browser or through their smartphone app. You simply add a payment method to your account, add funds and then choose another PayPal account to pay.
How to send money from PayPal to a bank account
With PayPal you can also choose to send money directly to a bank account rather than another PayPal account. This is done via Xoom, PayPal’s money transfer service. You’ll usually have to pay fees for doing this.
Alternatively, you can send cash to your recipient’s bank or a money transfer pick-up point for a cash pick-up, which will also cost you money.
Here are some of the pros and cons of using PayPal for your money transfers:
Pros:
- PayPal is easy-to-use - it has a simple interface
- You can send money to over 130 countries, meaning that it has one of the largest global coverages
- You can choose how you want the money to be received, whether directly to a bank account or to be picked up as cash by your recipient
Cons:
- The fees can be higher than other transfer services for transfers to international bank accounts
- You can’t send money directly to a card, only a bank account
- PayPal can be more expensive if you pay with a credit/debit card rather than PayPal balance or bank account
- PayPal’s exchange rates may not be as good as with other money transfer providers
Are there fees to send money via PayPal?
Yes, there are fees to send money internationally with PayPal if you want to arrange a cash pick-up or to send to a bank account. The fees vary from country to country, and you should check the fees for your sending and receiving country. For example, if you want to send money from the UK to a bank account in Albania, it will cost you £6.99 as a transfer fee.
How long does it take for PayPal to send money?
PayPal is a fast money transfer service and your money should arrive within a few minutes, although sending money with PayPal can take much longer as there are extensive admin procedures, and the recipient’s payment institution may be slow.
Is there another option to PayPal?
When you send money to friends and family abroad, you want to reduce the fees as much as possible. The main factors that drive up the price are the exchange rate and transfer fees.
Paysend is a fast and simple money transfer platform that lets users send money directly to bank accounts or straight to cards - all you need is the recipient’s name and card number!
Money transfers to bank accounts with Paysend have zero transfer fees, and to cards cost just £1, €1.5 or $2 (or equivalent amount). Paysend uses excellent, competitive exchange rates, so if you send money with Paysend you might save yourself some money!
On the Paysend homepage you can find a useful tool to help you find out if your money transfers with Paysend are cheaper than with PayPal. Click here to visit the homepage and get started.
To get started, head to the App Store or Google Play and download the Paysend Global Transfers app!
Ultimi post
Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.
International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.
It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.
With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.
Following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, Paysend is waiving its transfer fee on money sent to Venezuela for two weeks, from 25 June to July 9 2026, so you can support family and friends without paying a fee. Exchange rates apply as normal, and you'll always see the full cost before you send.
