You can close your PayPal account through your account settings, but you need to settle any outstanding balance first

To close a PayPal account, log in, go to Settings, select Account, then find the Close Your Account option. PayPal will walk you through a few steps to confirm. The process takes a few minutes, but your account won't actually close until any pending transactions clear and your balance reaches zero. If you have money in your account, you'll need to transfer it to your bank before closing.

Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account. If you think you might need PayPal again later, consider deactivating instead — you can reactivate a deactivated account anytime. Closing is permanent.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions before PayPal will close your account.
  • Money in your PayPal balance needs to be transferred to your bank account first.
  • Closing an account is permanent and cannot be reversed, so deactivating is an option if you might return later.
  • The account closure request is submitted through Settings, but the actual closure takes a few business days after all transactions clear.
  • Any recurring payments or subscriptions linked to your PayPal account will stop working once it closes.

What you need to do before closing

Before you can close your account, PayPal requires your balance to be exactly zero. If you have money sitting in your PayPal account, transfer it to your linked bank account first. Log in, go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer to Your Bank. The transfer usually takes one to three business days.

Check for any pending transactions, refunds, or holds. If you've received a payment that's still processing, or if you've made a purchase with a hold on it, you'll need to wait for those to complete. PayPal won't let you close until everything has settled.

Cancel any recurring payments or subscriptions tied to your account. If you have automatic payments set up — for a gym membership, streaming service, or anything else — those will fail once your account closes. Go to Settings, select Payments, then find Active Subscriptions and Recurring Payments. Cancel each one before you proceed.

The steps to close your account

Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. On the website, click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.

In Settings, select Account. Scroll down until you see the Close Your Account option — it's usually near the bottom of the page. Click or tap it. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to close and may ask why you're leaving. You can skip the survey if you prefer.

Review the information PayPal shows you about what will happen. Your account will be closed, your transaction history will no longer be visible to you, and any linked cards or bank accounts will be disconnected. Confirm that you want to proceed. PayPal will send a confirmation email to the address on file.

How long closure takes and what happens next

After you submit the closure request, PayPal typically closes the account within a few business days. During this time, any final transactions are processing and your balance is being verified as zero. You won't be able to log in or use the account during this period.

Once closed, you'll receive a final confirmation email. At that point, the account is gone. You cannot undo this. If you try to log in, PayPal will tell you the account no longer exists.

If you had any open disputes or claims, those will be resolved before the account closes. If you're waiting on a refund from a seller, that refund will still be processed — it may arrive as a direct bank transfer instead of going into your PayPal balance.

Deactivating instead of closing

If you're not sure you want to close permanently, you can deactivate your account instead. A deactivated account is hidden from view and you can't use it, but it still exists and can be reactivated anytime. To deactivate, go to Settings, select Account, and look for Deactivate Account (this option appears on some accounts but not all).

Deactivation is useful if you think you might need PayPal again in six months or a year. You won't lose your transaction history or account information. When you're ready to use it again, just log in and reactivate.

What happens to your data and transaction history

Once your account closes, you lose access to your transaction history through PayPal. However, PayPal keeps records for legal and tax reasons. If you need proof of a past transaction for a dispute or tax filing, you can contact PayPal's support team and request records — they can provide them even after your account is closed.

Download or screenshot any transaction records you might need before closing. Go to Activity, select the transaction, and look for options to download or print. This is especially important if you use PayPal for business and need records for accounting.

If you can't close your account

If PayPal won't let you close, the most common reason is an outstanding balance or pending transaction. Check your balance again and make sure all transfers have completed. If you see a hold or pending payment, wait for it to clear.

Sometimes PayPal locks accounts during disputes or investigations. If you're in the middle of a claim or dispute, you won't be able to close until it's resolved. Contact PayPal support to find out the status.

If you have a business account, the closure process may be different. Business accounts sometimes have additional requirements or restrictions. Check with PayPal support if the standard closure steps don't work for your account type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my PayPal account if I have a pending payment?

No. PayPal requires all transactions to be complete and your balance to be zero before closing. If you have a pending payment, wait for it to process or cancel it first. Once everything has cleared, you can proceed with closure.

What if I forgot the email address or password for my account?

You'll need to recover access before you can close. Go to the PayPal login page, select I Can't Log In, and follow the steps to reset your password or recover your email. Once you're back in, you can close normally.

Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?

No. Closing a PayPal account does not impact your credit score. PayPal is not a credit card issuer and does not report account closures to credit bureaus. Your credit is unaffected.

Can I use the same email address to open a new PayPal account after closing?

Yes, but you may need to wait a short time. Some users report being able to create a new account immediately with the same email, while others have to wait a few days. If you get an error saying the email is already in use, try again after 24 hours.

What happens to my linked bank account or credit card after I close?

PayPal automatically disconnects all linked bank accounts and credit cards when your account closes. The cards and accounts themselves are unaffected — they continue to work normally with other services. PayPal simply removes the connection.