How to Transfer Money from PayPal to Revolut

Opening block [≈150 words]

You hold a PayPal balance and a Revolut account. You need to move funds for spending, saving, or paying out. This guide targets freelancers, expats, online sellers, and frequent travelers. It gives a clear, step-by-step pathway to move money from PayPal to Revolut.

You will learn three common methods. You will see fees, timings, and limits. You will get a troubleshooting checklist for stalled transfers. You will get a comparison table to pick the right route.

Follow the steps to add Revolut details to PayPal. Pick the fastest or cheapest route. Use the troubleshooting checklist if the transfer stalls. Expect numbers for speed, fees, and limits. Use them to avoid losing value to hidden conversion markups or delays.

Quick Answer / TL;DR [≈100 words]

If you want the fastest route → Add your Revolut card to PayPal and send to card. Expect minutes to 24 hours. Watch card top-up limits.

If you want the lowest fees → Withdraw from PayPal to Revolut IBAN via SEPA. Expect 1–3 business days and low fees.

If you want minimal currency conversion → Keep transfers in the same currency. Avoid PayPal’s conversion, which can add ~2–4% extra. Use Revolut for FX (often 0–1% on weekdays).

If unsure → Withdraw to bank IBAN first. It is reliable and usually posts in 1–3 business days.

Understanding the Basics (3 key points) [≈240 words]

PayPal holds a digital wallet. It keeps balances, card links, and payment history. Revolut gives you a current account with an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and debit cards.

Two main transfer routes exist. Route A: Bank/SEPA withdrawal (two steps). Route B: Card transfer (one step). SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) moves euros between IBANs.

Expect wide speed ranges. Card transfers can be instant or take up to 24 hours. SEPA bank transfers typically take 1–3 business days. Some edge cases go to 4–5 business days.

Expect a typical fee profile. PayPal conversion markup often sits around 2–4% above mid-market. Revolut FX markup often sits at 0–1% on weekdays. Revolut may charge 0.5–2% on weekends for some currencies.

Watch out for currency mismatches. If you send USD from PayPal to a EUR Revolut account, PayPal may convert first. That triggers PayPal conversion at ~2–4%. Revolut might then reconvert at 0–1% or 0.5–2%. Two conversions can add 3–6% total cost.

Short checklist before you start:
– Enable 2-factor authentication (2FA).
– Verify your PayPal account.
– Have your Revolut IBAN or card ready.
– Confirm your name matches on both accounts.

Requirements and Preparations (4 items) [≈240 words]

Verify accounts first. You need a verified PayPal account. Prepare official ID and proof of address. Typical verification asks for passport or national ID. Expect review times from 1 to 7 days.

Prepare Revolut details. Get your IBAN (15–34 characters, 22 for typical EUR IBANs). Get your Revolut debit card number. Note BIC/SWIFT can be required for non-SEPA moves.

Linking a bank may require small deposits. Expect 1–3 small deposits for confirmation. Some banks allow instant verification with immediate confirmation. Plan 1–3 days if deposits are used.

Know account limits and verification tiers. Unverified accounts sometimes limit transfers to €250–€2,000. Fully verified accounts can have daily limits of €1,000–€50,000 or higher. Check your account-specific limits in both apps.

Prepare for these practical items:
– IBAN format: 15–34 characters, 22 for most euro accounts.
– BIC/SWIFT sometimes required for non-SEPA transfers.
– Card linking may cap single transfers to €10–€5,000 per transaction.
– Keep email and phone numbers current for 2FA codes.

Watch out for unverified accounts. They may trigger lower limits and delayed withdrawals.

Step-by-step: Withdraw from PayPal to Revolut IBAN (5 steps) [≈300 words]

This is the reliable, low-cost method. Use it for larger amounts.

1. Open PayPal and choose Withdraw to bank account.
2. Tap Withdraw or Transfer.
3. Choose Add bank account or select an existing one.

4. Use IBAN (International Bank Account Number) entry.

5. Add your Revolut IBAN.

6. Copy-paste the full IBAN (22 characters for many EUR IBANs).
7. Add BIC/SWIFT only if PayPal requires it.

8. Confirm the account name. It should match PayPal exactly.

9. Select currency and amount.

10. Choose the same currency to avoid conversion.
11. Example: Send EUR→EUR for no PayPal conversion.

12. Enter amounts like €100, €500, €1,000 as needed.

13. Confirm withdrawal.

14. Select Standard SEPA for low or no fee.
15. Expect 1–3 business days for posting.
16. Some edge cases take up to 5 business days.

17. PayPal may offer instant transfer for 0–3.5% fee.

18. Check Revolut and reconcile.

19. Look in Revolut’s transaction feed for incoming reference.
20. Reconcile amounts including any fees.
21. Example: Withdraw €500 EUR. Expect €500 less any small fee in 1–3 days.

Concrete numbers and costs:
– SEPA speed: 1–3 business days, up to 5 in rare cases.
– PayPal instant withdrawal fee: 0–3.5% or a fixed small fee.
– Standard SEPA fee: often free or a low fixed fee.
– Example limits: €10–€10,000 per transaction, depending on region and verification.

Watch out for: PayPal may convert currency automatically. Set withdrawal currency to avoid double conversion.

Alternative method: Send from PayPal to Revolut Card (3 steps) [≈280 words]

This is the fastest option in many regions. Use it for urgent needs or ATM withdrawals.

1. Add your Revolut debit card number to PayPal.
2. Go to Wallet → Link a card.
3. Enter 16–19 digit card number, expiry, and CVV.

4. Verify the card if PayPal requests a small charge.

5. Use PayPal’s Withdraw to card or Send to card option.

6. Choose the card as the destination.
7. Enter the amount. Typical per-transaction caps range €10–€5,000.

8. Confirm the transfer.

9. Wait for arrival.

10. Many transfers are instant.
11. Some post within 24 hours.
12. Some rare cases take up to 48 hours.

Concrete numbers:
– Typical time: instant to 24 hours; sometimes up to 48 hours.
– Card processor fee: often 0–3% per transfer.
– Per-transaction caps: roughly €10–€5,000 depending on country and status.

Best for:
Best for: Immediate access to funds. Instant purchases. ATM withdrawals.

Skip if:
Skip if: You move very large sums. Card fees and caps can hurt.

Key points:
– Card top-ups often count as purchases. They may trigger temporary holds.
– Card transfers can charge 0–3% in fees.
– Limits vary by country and by card: check €1,000 or €5,000 caps.
– Use this for amounts under typical card caps to minimize cost.
– Expect 0–24 hour arrival for most transactions.

Watch out for: Card top-ups may be treated as merchant transactions and trigger card holds.

Fees, Limits, and Timing (4 specifics) [≈260 words]

Understand the major fees before you move money.

PayPal fees:
– Merchant receipt fees: around 2.9% + fixed fee per transaction (varies by country).
– Conversion markup: typically ~2–4% over mid-market.
– Instant withdrawal fees: 0–3.5% or a fixed amount.

Revolut fees:
– Card top-ups by card: often free up to a threshold.
– FX markup: 0–1% on weekdays for many currencies.
– Weekend FX markup: 0.5–2% for some currencies.
– ATM withdrawals: free up to €200–€800 monthly depending on plan; thereafter ~2%.

Limits:
– Per-transaction ranges: €5–€10,000 or more, depending on verification and country.
– Daily limits: €1,000–€50,000 for higher verification tiers.
– Card transfer caps: often €10–€5,000 per transfer.

Timing specifics:
– SEPA: 1–3 business days; sometimes 4–5 days.
– Card transfers: minutes to 24 hours; sometimes up to 48 hours.
– Pending/clearing: adds 1–5 business days in disputes or manual review.

Watch out for double conversion:
– If PayPal converts currency first at 2–4% and Revolut converts again at 0–1%, expect 3–5% combined cost.
– To avoid this, send in the same currency whenever possible.

Use these numbers when you plan:
– For €1,000 transfers, SEPA is usually cheaper.
– For €50–€500 urgent needs, card transfers may be worth the 0–3% fee.
– For weekly FX, Revolut often saves 0–1% compared to PayPal.

Troubleshooting and Edge Cases (3–4 paragraphs + bullets) [≈230 words]

Pending transfers often resolve without action. Wait 1–5 business days before raising issues. Check both apps first.

Common errors:
– IBAN typed incorrectly by 1 character. That delays transfers.
– Name mismatch between PayPal and Revolut. It can trigger a hold.
– Currency conversion chosen automatically. PayPal may convert at 2–4%.

Recovery steps:
– Gather transaction details and IDs. Keep dates and amounts, like €100 or €1,000.
– Contact PayPal with the transaction ID and timestamp.
– Check Revolut transaction search for the incoming reference.
– Escalate if funds do not appear in 7 business days.

Quick checklist:
– Confirm IBAN matches exactly. Copy-paste the 22-character EUR IBAN.
– Check the currency option on PayPal before confirming.
– Monitor both apps for incoming references and amounts.
– Note fees deducted (0–3.5% or fixed fees).
– Save screenshots of confirmation screens for support.

Watch out for reversals and refunds:
– Refunds usually return to PayPal minus fees.
– Reconciled returns can take 3–10 business days depending on the route.
– Peer-to-peer transfers through third parties can complicate tracking.

If a transfer is flagged as unauthorized, follow PayPal’s dispute flow. Use Revolut’s in-app support for incoming funds not credited.

Security and Compliance (3 paragraphs) [≈210 words]

Both platforms enforce KYC (know-your-customer). Expect identity checks before large transfers. Typical documents include passport or national ID and proof of address. Verification reviews can take 1–7 days.

Anti-fraud measures trigger on unusual activity. Transfers above €1,000–€10,000 often prompt manual review. Sudden changes in countries or currencies increase scrutiny. A flagged transfer may pause for 24–72 hours.

Follow these best practices:
– Keep 2FA active on both accounts.
– Use unique strong passwords for PayPal and Revolut.
– Verify contact details and email addresses.
– Do not share full login credentials with anyone.

Watch out for phishing attempts. Do not click links in suspicious emails. If PayPal flags a transfer as unauthorized, start the dispute immediately. Provide transaction IDs and screenshots to speed resolution.

Comparison table section — Methods at a glance [≈120 words]

The table compares 5 common methods by speed, typical fee range, convenience, and basic requirements so you can pick the right route in 30 seconds.

Method	Typical speed	Typical fee	Convenience	Requirements
SEPA bank withdrawal to Revolut IBAN	1–3 business days	Low to free (standard); instant 0–3%	High (reliable)	Revolut IBAN, verified PayPal
Withdraw to Revolut card	Instant–24 hours	0–3% (card fees)	Very high (fast)	Revolut card added to PayPal
In-PayPal currency conversion then send	Minutes–3 days	2–4% conversion markup	Moderate	None extra
Peer-to-peer transfer (friend)	Instant	Possibly free	High (if trust exists)	Another person with Revolut
Third-party service (transfer app)	Minutes–2 days	0.5–2% + fixed	Moderate	Account with service

Summary: SEPA gives low fees and reliability in 1–3 days. Card moves give speed in minutes to 24 hours but often cost 0–3%.

Closing — How to Choose / Bottom Line [≈120 words]

If you need funds immediately and accept a small fee → use the Revolut card route. Expect instant to 24-hour arrival and potential 0–3% fees.

If you want the cheapest route for larger amounts → withdraw to Revolut IBAN via SEPA. Expect 1–3 business days and low or no standard fees.

If you must avoid currency conversion fees → keep the same currency and route via IBAN. Use Revolut FX for 0–1% weekday rates and 0.5–2% on weekends.

If still unsure → default to SEPA to Revolut IBAN. It is reliable, low cost, and low risk. Always confirm currency settings and double-check the IBAN to avoid delays and double conversion.