Debit via app · United States

PayPal Debit Mastercard review: fees, limits and how it works

Replacement for the discontinued PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, and for heavy PayPal users

Quick answer: The PayPal Debit Mastercard spends your PayPal Balance and is issued by The Bancorp Bank. There's no monthly fee and MoneyPass ATMs are free, so a typical user pays $0 a month. Other ATMs cost $2.50 and retail cash reloads up to $3.95. It suits heavy PayPal users and former PayPal Prepaid cardholders.

ProviderPayPal (issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A.)
NetworkMastercard
Monthly feeNone

Best for: Replacement for the discontinued PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, and for heavy PayPal users

Pros

  • No monthly fee
  • Free MoneyPass ATMs
  • 5% back as points on a selected category, on up to $1,000 a month

Cons

  • International fee
  • Cash reload fee
Person using laptop computer holding card — using the PayPal Debit Mastercard
Photo: rupixen / Unsplash

What the PayPal Debit Mastercard costs per month

If you…Monthly costHow it adds up
Spends a PayPal balance, MoneyPass ATMs only$0No monthly card fee, and PayPal charges nothing at MoneyPass ATMs in the US.
One store cash reload and one non-MoneyPass ATM withdrawalUp to $6.45 plus ATM operator feeUp to $3.95 retail cash reload fee plus the $2.50 non-MoneyPass ATM fee.
$200 in purchases abroad$52.5% international transaction fee on $200 is $5.

Who it suits

Good fit if

  • People who get paid or sell through PayPal
  • Former PayPal Prepaid Mastercard holders
  • Free cash from MoneyPass ATMs

Skip it if

  • You load cash often, at up to $3.95 per reload
  • You spend abroad regularly, with a 2.5% fee
  • You want to build credit

Fees

Monthly feeNone
Other$2.50 at non-MoneyPass ATMs
Other2.5% international transaction fee
OtherUp to $3.95 cash reload fee at retail

How to get and load it

Requires a PayPal Balance account and ID verification. Apply online or in the app.

  • PayPal balance
  • Direct deposit
  • Cash at 90,000+ retail locations
  • Bank transfer

Activation

Activate in the PayPal app or online. See our step-by-step activation guide.

Deposit protection and credit building

Protection: Issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. See PayPal's terms for how FDIC pass-through coverage applies.

Credit building: No

PayPal Debit Mastercard FAQs

Does the PayPal Debit Mastercard have a monthly fee?

Monthly fee: None. Other charges to check: $2.50 at non-MoneyPass ATMs; 2.5% international transaction fee; Up to $3.95 cash reload fee at retail.

How do I activate the PayPal Debit Mastercard?

Activate in the PayPal app or online.

Is money on the PayPal Debit Mastercard insured?

Issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. See PayPal's terms for how FDIC pass-through coverage applies.

Does the PayPal Debit Mastercard build credit?

No

How do I add money to the PayPal Debit Mastercard?

You can load it by PayPal balance, direct deposit, cash at 90,000+ retail locations, bank transfer.

Official PayPal (issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A.) site

Sources: www.paypal.com · www.paypal.com. Fees change; confirm on the official fee schedule.