How PayPal works
We bring buyers and sellers together – reducing steps, costs, and chaos. The only middleman is the mail man.
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Buyers make a purchase through PayPal – whether it’s on eBay, online stores or merchant apps.
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Sellers receive payments in their PayPal account usually within minutes.
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We will notify both buyers and sellers on the payment and transaction details.
People who buy.
When you make a payment, you can choose how you want to pay for your purchases:
- If you have sufficient PayPal balance to cover the payment, the amount will be deducted directly.
- If you have linked a credit or debit card to your PayPal account, the payment amount can be deducted from your credit or debit card after you've depleted your PayPal balance.
People who sell.
Once you have confirmed your email address, you can start receiving payments with PayPal. You also have several options once you’ve received payment to access your money. You can use it for purchases or withdrawal it to your linked bank account.
More about managing businessWant it? Get it.
Millions of people shop online using PayPal. Just an email address and password will get you through checkout before you can reach for your wallet. Couldn’t be simpler!
Pay on website Pay on eBay Send a paymentMore time equals more money.
Start accepting payments from credit and debit cards, linked bank accounts and PayPal (whichever is applicable) in minutes. We've worked it all out for you, from sales to figures, so you have more time for your business.
Sell on your website Sell on eBay Request a paymentProtecting you, and your money.
All your money is accounted for in one place. Send money and receive payments, anywhere in the world. We've got your back while you do.
More about our protection policiesQuestions and Answers
How do I choose between Personal, Premier and Business accounts?
Personal: Recommended for individuals who shop and pay online.
Premier: Recommended for casual sellers or non-businesses that buy and sell online.
Business: Recommended for merchants who operate under a company/group name. It offers additional features such as allowing up to 200 employees limited access to your account.
Can I own multiple PayPal accounts?
You can create one Personal account and one Premier or Business account. You can link more email addresses, debit or credit cards, and bank accounts, but each account must have its own email address and bank account information.
In what countries is PayPal accepted as a method of payment?
PayPal is accepted as a method of payment in 202 countries
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