How PayPal Links Work for Sending and Receiving Money
What PayPal Links are and how they move money
A PayPal Link is a personalized payment request or money transfer that you create and send to someone else—usually through text, email, or social media. When the other person clicks the link, they land on a PayPal page where they can send you money without needing to know your email address or account details. The money moves from their bank account or PayPal balance into your PayPal account, and then you can keep it there or move it to your own bank.
PayPal Links are different from other peer-to-peer methods because they work one direction: you create the link, someone else pays through it. You cannot use a PayPal Link to send money to someone else the way you would with Venmo or Zelle. If you want to send money, you use PayPal's standard transfer or "send money" feature instead. PayPal Links are most useful when you are splitting a bill, collecting money for a group gift, or asking someone to reimburse you for something.
The person paying through your link does not have to have a PayPal account. They can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account directly through the link. If they do have a PayPal account, they can use their balance or linked payment method. Either way, the transaction is processed through PayPal's system, and you receive the money in your account.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal Links let you create a personalized payment request that you send to someone; they click it and pay you without needing your account details.
- The person paying can use a debit card, credit card, bank account, or PayPal balance—they do not need a PayPal account to pay through your link.
- Money received through a PayPal Link lands in your PayPal account first; you can leave it there or transfer it to your bank account for a small fee.
- PayPal Links are one-way requests for payment, not a way to send money to others; use PayPal's standard send feature if you need to pay someone.
How to create and send a PayPal Link
Open the PayPal app or website and log in to your account. On the home screen or dashboard, look for a button labeled "Request" or "Request Money"—the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on mobile or desktop. Tap or click that button to start creating your link.
Enter the amount you want to request and add a description of what the money is for—for example, "Dinner on Friday" or "Concert tickets." You can also add a note to the person paying. Then PayPal generates a unique link. You can copy that link and paste it into a text message, email, or social media message and send it to the person who owes you money. Some versions of PayPal also let you share the link directly through the app to a contact.
Once you send the link, the other person receives it and clicks through. They see the amount, your name, and the description you wrote. They then enter their payment method—card, bank account, or PayPal balance—and confirm the payment. PayPal processes it and notifies you when the money arrives in your account.
Fees and where the money goes
PayPal does not charge the person paying through your link if they use a debit card or bank account. If they pay with a credit card, PayPal charges them a small fee (usually around 2.2% plus $0.30, though this varies). You, as the receiver, do not pay a fee to receive money through a PayPal Link when the payer uses a debit card or bank account. If the payer uses a credit card, you also do not pay a fee—PayPal charges the payer instead.
The money lands in your PayPal account balance. You can leave it there and use it to pay other people or make purchases through PayPal. If you want to move it to your bank account, PayPal charges you a transfer fee. Standard transfers (which take one to three business days) usually cost around $0.25 to $2.00 depending on your account type and transfer method. Instant transfers to a debit card cost around 1.5% of the amount. Check your PayPal account settings to see the exact fees for your situation, as they can vary by location and account type.
Security and what happens if something goes wrong
PayPal Links are encrypted, meaning the link itself is secure to send through text or email. The person clicking the link is taken to PayPal's official payment page, not a fake site. However, be careful about where you get a PayPal Link from—if someone sends you a link claiming to be from PayPal or a company you know, verify it is real before clicking. Scammers sometimes send fake links that look like PayPal but are not.
If you send a PayPal Link and the person pays you but then disputes the charge with their bank or credit card company, PayPal may reverse the payment and remove the money from your account. This is called a chargeback. If this happens, PayPal will notify you and may charge you a dispute fee. To protect yourself, keep records of what the money was for—a text conversation, email, or photo of the receipt for what you are splitting.
If the person paying through your link has a problem—their card is declined, they enter the wrong amount, or they change their mind—they can contact PayPal to cancel or dispute the payment before it is processed. Once it is processed and in your account, you would need to manually refund them through PayPal's standard refund feature.
PayPal Links versus other ways to request money
PayPal Links work similarly to Venmo's "request" feature and Zelle's ability to request money, but there are differences. Venmo requests require both people to have Venmo accounts. Zelle requests also require both people to be enrolled in Zelle through their bank. PayPal Links, by contrast, do not require the payer to have a PayPal account—they can pay with any debit or credit card.
PayPal Links are also more formal than Venmo or Zelle. They are better for collecting money from multiple people (like a group gift or shared expense) because you can send the same link to many people and each payment is tracked separately. Venmo and Zelle are faster for one-on-one transfers between people who already have accounts set up. If you are splitting a bill with a friend who has Venmo, Venmo might be quicker. If you are collecting money from relatives who may not have any payment app, a PayPal Link is more flexible.
When PayPal Links work best and when to use something else
Use a PayPal Link when you need to collect money from someone who may not have a PayPal account, when you want a record of what the money is for, or when you are splitting costs among a group. PayPal Links are also useful if the person paying prefers to use a credit card rather than link a bank account to another app.
Do not use a PayPal Link if you need the money instantly—transfers to your bank account take at least one business day, and standard transfers take longer. Do not use it if you want to send money to someone; use PayPal's standard "send money" feature instead. And do not use it if both people have Venmo or Zelle set up, because those apps are usually faster for back-and-forth transfers between people who already know each other.
Troubleshooting common problems with PayPal Links
If the person you sent the link to says they never received it, check that you sent it to the correct phone number or email address. Text and email can be delayed or filtered into spam folders. Ask them to check their spam or junk folder. You can also resend the link by going back to the request in your PayPal account and selecting "resend."
If the link expires before the person pays, PayPal will notify you. You can create a new link and send it again. PayPal Links do not have a set expiration date, but if a request sits unpaid for a very long time, PayPal may archive it. If the person tries to pay through an old link and it does not work, create a fresh one.
If the person paid but you do not see the money in your account, check your PayPal transaction history to confirm the payment went through. PayPal usually notifies you by email when money arrives, but check your spam folder in case the notification landed there. If the payment shows as pending, wait for it to clear—this usually takes a few minutes to a few hours. If it has been more than a day and the payment still shows as pending or does not appear at all, contact PayPal support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a PayPal Link without a PayPal account?
No, you need a PayPal account to create a link. The person paying through the link does not need an account, but you do. If you do not have one, you can create a free PayPal account on the PayPal website or app in a few minutes using your email and bank or card details.
What if the person paying through my link disputes the charge later?
If they dispute it with their bank or credit card company, PayPal will likely reverse the payment and remove the money from your account. Keep records of what the money was for—text messages, emails, or receipts—so you can show PayPal why the payment was legitimate if you need to dispute the reversal.
Can I set a deadline for someone to pay through my PayPal Link?
PayPal does not have a built-in deadline feature for links. You can add a note to the link saying when you need the money, but PayPal will not automatically cancel the link on that date. If the person does not pay by your deadline, you can send them a reminder or create a new link.
Do I have to accept every payment through a PayPal Link I created?
Once someone pays through your link, the payment is processed and goes into your account. You cannot reject it at that point. If you want to refuse the payment, you would need to manually refund it through PayPal. To avoid unwanted payments, only send links to people you trust or who actually owe you money.
How long does it take for money from a PayPal Link to reach my bank account?
Money arrives in your PayPal account instantly or within a few hours. To move it to your bank account, standard transfers take one to three business days. Instant transfers to a debit card are faster but cost a higher fee. The exact timing depends on your bank and which transfer method you choose.