Does PayPal personal charge a fee
A PayPal personal account does not charge a fee to open or to send domestic payments from your balance or bank, but fees apply for card funding, international transfers and currency conversion.
PayPal states that downloading its app and creating an account cost nothing. Whether a fee applies after that depends on where the money goes and how the payment is funded, which is why a PayPal overview of fees splits charges by payment type.
- Opening an account: Setting up a personal account and installing the app are free.
- Domestic friends and family payments: Sending money within the same country is free when the payment comes from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account.
- Standard withdrawals: Moving your PayPal balance to a linked bank account carries no fee as long as no currency conversion is needed.
Charges come into play in these situations:
- Card funding: Paying a personal payment with a debit or credit card usually costs 2.90% plus a fixed fee.
- International transfers: Sending money to friends and family in another country costs about 5.00% of the amount, before any conversion charges.
- Currency conversion: Changing funds from one currency into another adds an extra percentage markup.
PayPal publishes the full rate list on its Consumer Fees page, so check it before sending a payment and consider which funding source you use.