What is a direct debit and how do I update or cancel one?

An automatic payment, also known as a subscription, billing agreement, or recurring payment, authorises a merchant to charge you without signing in to your PayPal account.

You can set up an automatic payment with a merchant during checkout and the terms are available to view in your PayPal account afterwards. For more information on automatic payments, please visit our user agreement.

Here’s how to find your direct debits on the PayPal website:    

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click Payments.
  3. Select Automatic payments.
  4. Select the merchant.



On this page, you can cancel the direct debit and change the backup funding source.

Most automatic payments allow you to assign a specific payment method when you set them up. It means that this specific payment method will be prioritised for making the relevant automatic payment, even if you’ve chosen a different card or bank as your preferred way to make general payments with PayPal.

Here's how to change the payment method for direct debits:

  1. Select your current payment method.
  2. Select a new payment method or click Link a new card or bank account.
  3. Click Save.

Contact information for your merchant can be found in the direct debit.

To update your automatic payment method on the app:

  1. Tap Wallet.
  2. Tap Manage AutoPay.
  3. Tap the merchant to view or update.
  4. You can update your preferred payment method.

To remove a payment method on the app:

  1. Tap Wallet.
  2. Tap Manage AutoPay.
  3. Tap the merchant to view or update.
  4. Tap Remove PayPal as your payment method.

More ways we can help

We'll use cookies to improve and customise your experience if you continue to browse. Is it OK if we also use cookies to show you personalised ads? Learn more and manage your cookies