How to move PayPal money to GCash (or Maya) — fees and steps
Two ways to get PayPal money into GCash or Maya in the Philippines: direct GCash cash-in or via your bank. Fees, minimums, timing and fixes for common errors.
By the Kita team · Updated · 3 min read
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Getting paid by PayPal is only half the job — most people in the Philippines actually spend from GCash or Maya. There are two routes. The first is faster; the second is cheaper for bigger amounts.
Fees change. The numbers below were checked in September 2026 against GCash’s Help Center and PayPal Philippines. The GCash and PayPal apps always show the final amount before you confirm — trust that screen over any guide, including this one.
Before you start
- A fully verified GCash account. The PayPal cash-in option doesn’t appear for basic accounts.
- A PayPal account in your own name. Using the same name (and ideally the same email) on PayPal and GCash avoids most linking errors.
- Your PayPal balance, for example from a Kita payout. Kita pays in US dollars.
Route 1: Cash in directly to GCash (fastest)
- In PayPal, convert your USD balance to PHP. GCash cash-in uses pesos. If PHP isn’t listed, add it as a currency in PayPal first.
- In the GCash app, tap Cash In → Global Banks and Partners → PayPal.
- Link your PayPal account the first time (you’ll log in to PayPal inside GCash).
- Enter the amount — at least ₱500 — and confirm.
GCash charges 1% for PayPal cash-in. On ₱1,000 that’s ₱10.
Route 2: Withdraw to your bank, then move it (cheaper for large amounts)
- In PayPal, withdraw to a linked Philippine bank account.
- Once it lands (usually 1–5 business days), send it to GCash or Maya with InstaPay from your bank app — or just keep it in the bank.
PayPal’s withdrawal to a Philippine bank is free from ₱7,000; below that PayPal charges a small fee that it shows before you confirm. InstaPay transfers may have a small bank fee.
Fees at a glance
| Route | Fee | Typical speed |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal → GCash cash-in | 1% (minimum cash-in ₱500) | Usually the same day |
| PayPal → Philippine bank | Free from ₱7,000; small fee below | 1–5 business days |
| USD → PHP conversion in PayPal | PayPal’s markup, typically 3–4% | Instant |
The conversion markup is usually the biggest cost. If you’re not in a hurry, letting your balance build up and converting less often keeps more of it with you.
Common problems
- “PayPal” isn’t in GCash Cash In. Your GCash isn’t fully verified yet, or the app needs an update.
- Linking fails. Check that the name on PayPal matches your GCash name. Log out of PayPal in your phone’s browser and try again.
- Amount won’t go through. The minimum is ₱500, and you can only cash in pesos — convert first.
- The money is still in USD. That’s normal: Kita pays in US dollars. Convert in PayPal when you’re ready.
Where Kita fits in
Kita sends PayPal payouts on fixed payout days and covers PayPal’s sending fee, so the amount you request is the amount that arrives. See how scheduled payouts work, the FAQ for the current payout dates, or paid surveys in the Philippines for everything specific to PH members.
Other SEA wallets
Outside the Philippines, PayPal usually goes to a local bank first, then to your e-wallet: