How to top-up PayPal account in Malaysia [2024]
PayPal is a popular and convenient way to shop online with retailers Malaysia and globally - or to send money quickly to friends and family. You can link a bank account or card to PayPal to have the funds deducted instantly when you spend.
It used to also be possible to top up your PayPal balance from RHB, but at the time of research (December 2023), this option may no longer be available. In this article, we’ll cover how you might be able to top-up your Malaysian PayPal balance, the pros and cons of PayPal, and some important fees to know about when you use PayPal Malaysia.
While PayPal can be cheap or free to use for some transaction types, there are fees you’ll want to consider, which can be particularly high if you’re sending or spending a foreign currency.
As PayPal may not be the best option for international transfers due to the overall costs involved, we’ll also introduce some alternatives to PayPal like WorldRemit and Wise.
Table of contents:
Let's get started.
Key points:
At the time of writing (December 2023) is is reported that topping up PayPal Malaysia from your linked bank account is no longer an option
Have friends or family send you PayPal transfers to add funds to your account
PayPal top-ups are free as long as no currency conversion is needed
Can you top up a PayPal account in Malaysia?
It used to be possible to top up your PayPal Malaysia balance using your linked RHB bank account, a credit or debit card. However, at the time of writing (December 2023) this service has been reported to have been discontinued in Malaysia. To see if you’re able to add money and hold a balance in PayPal, you’ll need to check out your own PayPal account’s settings.
One other option is to have someone send you a PayPal payment directly - we’ll cover how this works, later.
How does PayPal compare for sending money abroad?
If you’re hoping to use PayPal to send a payment overseas, it’s worth comparing a few alternative options to see which offers the best value and convenience for your transfer. PayPal international transfers have a couple of different potential fees, and money is deposited to the recipient’s PayPal account. If the recipient then wants to withdraw it quickly to their bank, there may be an additional fee for them to bear, depending on where in the world they are.
To help you start your research, here’s a quick overview of PayPal compared to a couple of specialist international money transfer services:
| Provider | International transfer fees | Exchange rates | Coverage | Best features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | From 0.43% | Mid-market exchange rate | Send money to 160+ countries | Multi-currency accounts and cards, with options to send, spend, receive, hold and exchange 40+ currencies |
| WorldRemit | Variable fee based on destination and pick up method | Exchange rates may include a markup | Send money to 130+ countries | Great range of pay out options including account and mobile money accounts, cash collection and delivery |
| PayPal | 4.99 USD + additional costs if you pay with a card | 3.5% - 4% fee on top of the mid-market rate | Send money to PayPal accounts globally | Huge user base, fast deposits to PayPal accounts around the world, easy and secure ways to spend online |
Alternatives to PayPal in Malaysia
PayPal is understandably popular, and offers some great services including many fee free domestic transactions in Malaysia. However, as soon as you’re sending a payment in a foreign currency - or if you’re shopping online in a different currency - extra PayPal fees do creep in.
PayPal isn’t your only option for sending or spending money in foreign currencies. Alternative specialist services can work out cheaper - with all the same convenience you’re used to from PayPal. Which alternative to PayPal is better for you may depend on the type of transactions you want to make. Some providers could offer competitive ways to hold and exchange multiple currencies, while others have great, low cost ways to send money internationally.
Alternatives to PayPal - multi currency accounts
You can choose an alternative way to hold a balance in foreign currencies if you’d prefer - multi-currency accounts are available from banks and non-bank alternative providers like Wise. These accounts can be used to hold, send, spend and receive foreign currencies, often with great exchange rates and easy ways to manage your money with just your phone. Here are a few to consider:
| Provider - multi-currency accounts | Currencies covered | Card order fee | Spending fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise account | Hold and exchange 40+ currencies Receive payments in up to 10 currencies Spend with your card in 150+ countries | 13.7 MYR card order fee | Free to spend a currency you hold If currency conversion is required, there’s a low fee from 0.43% No foreign transaction fee |
| RHB | 33 currencies supported for holding and exchange Spend globally with your card | 20 MYR annual fee 15 MYR card order or replacement fee | Free to spend a currency you hold RHB exchange rates apply when exchanging currency, which may include a markup 1% foreign transaction fee when spending in a currency you don’t hold |
| RHB | 11 currencies supported for holding and exchange Spend globally with your card | Up to 10 MYR card order or replacement fee, depending on your account status | Free to spend a currency you hold HSBC exchange rates apply when exchanging currency, which may include a markup 1% foreign transaction fee when spending in a currency you don’t hold |
Learn more: Best multi-currency accounts in Malaysia
Alternatives to PayPal - international transfers
If you need to send a payment overseas, alternatives to PayPal may present better value and have more flexible pay out options. While PayPal transfers are deposited into the recipient’s PayPal account only, some other providers let you send money to bank accounts, mobile money accounts, or for cash collection - giving you more options to move your money in the best way for you. Here are a few popular alternatives to PayPal for international transfers:
| Provider - International transfer | International transfer fee | International transfer options | International transfer speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | From 0.43% | Send to bank accounts in 160+ countries | 50%+ of payments are instant, 90% arrive in 24 hours |
| WorldRemit | Variable fee based on destination and pick up method | Cash pickups, bank transfers, mobile money* | 90% of payments are completed the same day |
| Western Union | Variable fee based on destination, how you pay, and and pick up method | Send to bank accounts and for cash collection in most countries around the world | Cash collection payments can be instant, bank deposits may take a day or two |
*Not all options available on all currency routes
**Information correct as on 20th December 2023
PayPal may not be your best bet if you’re sending money overseas from Malaysia. However, which alternative is best for you will depend on the type of payment you want to make, and the destination country. Here are some pointers to help you decide:
Wise - may be a great option for fast payments with the mid-market exchange rate. You can make cheap international payments or open a Wise multi-currency account to hold and exchange 40+ currencies in one place. Read our comprehensive Wise Review to learn more.
WorldRemit - send money to more than 130 countries. They offer a variety of money collection options, including cash collection on some currency routes.
Western Union: send money to almost every country in the world, and have it collected in cash in just a few minutes, with options to send to bank accounts available too.
Go to WorldRemitGo to Wise
Can you add money to PayPal in Malaysia?
⚠️ At the time of research (December 2023), members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this option is not available any more. Double check with PayPal and RHB before you choose this method to add money to PayPal.
If you have a PayPal account in Malaysia, you’ll be able to top up your PayPal balance using your linked RHB bank account. Some PayPal account holders can make payments using a credit or debit card linked to their PayPal account. To see if this service is available to you, you’ll need to check out your own PayPal account’s settings.
One other option is to have someone send you a PayPal payment directly - we’ll cover how this works, next.
4 ways to top-up your PayPal balance in Malaysia
It’s good to know that you don’t actually need to add money to your PayPal account if you don’t want to. You can simply link your preferred bank account or card to your PayPal account and funds will be taken directly from there when you shop online or send payments.
However, if you’d rather hold a PayPal balance, you may also be able to do that. Here are your options to top-up your PayPal Malaysia account:
Option 1: Receiving money from friends and family into your PayPal account
Your main option if you want to have a PayPal balance is to have family or friends send you a PayPal payment which could be deposited fairly quickly, depending on how they choose to pay.
All the sender needs is:
A PayPal account of their own
The email address or phone number which is associated with your PayPal account
They can initiate the transfer by logging into their own PayPal accounts and selecting the options to send a payment. It’s worth noting that the sender may need to pay a fee for this service, which can vary depending on how they choose to pay and the currency they send.
The sender will also need to double check delivery times and options - paying with a linked card or PayPal balance may mean your money arrives faster, compared to paying with a linked bank account.
Option 2: How to top up PayPal with credit or debit card
You may also be able to make payments to a PayPal account by linking a debit or credit card.
⚠️This facility may not be available to all PayPal account holders, so you’ll need to take a look at your specific account configurations to see if it’s an option for you.
How to link a debit or credit card to your PayPal account
You can link a debit or credit card to your PayPal account online or in the PayPal app. Here’s how to link a card to PayPal online:
Log into the PayPal desktop site
Go to your Wallet
Click Link a debit or credit card
Link your card by entering the card details
Here’s how to link a card on the PayPal app:
Open the PayPal app
Tap Wallet
Tap + beside Banks and Cards
Tap Debit and Credit Cards
Enter your card details or scan your card using your phone’s camera
Once you have a linked card you’ll be able to top up your PayPal balance, if this facility is available to your specific account type.
Option 3: How to add money to PayPal from Bank Account
⚠️At the time of research (December 2023), members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this option is not available any more. Double check with PayPal and RHB before you choose this method to add money to PayPal.
From Malaysia you can fund your PayPal top-up from a linked RHB bank account. If you don’t already have a linked bank account it’s pretty easy to set this up.
How to link bank account to PayPal in Malaysia
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet
Click Add a card or bank account, then Add a bank account
Enter the RHB account details including sort code
Review your information and click Agree and add
You may need to complete an automatic or manual verification to prove the account you’re linking is actually yours. However, this is usually an easy process - you just follow the prompts to set up the bank account you want to link.
How to top-up PayPal using RHB
Once your bank account is linked to PayPal:
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet
Click Transfer Money, then Add money to your balance
Select your bank and enter the amount you want to transfer, then click Add.
Option 4: How to add money through the PayPal App
⚠️At the time of research (December 2023), members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this option is not available any more. Double check with PayPal and RHB before you choose this method to add money to PayPal.
If you have the PayPal app already this can be an even easier way to add funds to your PayPal account, as long as you already have an RHB bank account or card linked to PayPal:
Tap the dashboard logo and then Transfer
Select how you want to pay
Enter the amount and tap Add to Your Balance
Advantages and disadvantages of using PayPal in Malaysia
Not sure if PayPal is right for your transaction? Here are a few pros and cons to consider:
| Advantages of PayPal Malaysia | Disadvantages of PayPal Malaysia |
|---|---|
|
|
If you’re not sure about PayPal for sending your payment overseas, it’s well worth comparing alternative providers like Wise and WorldRemit. Wise offers international transfers to 160+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and fees from 0.43%.
Transfers are deposited right into the recipient's bank account for convenience - and in some countries you can also send to popular mobile wallets, too. WorldRemit is also handy as a way to get money quickly into your recipient’s hands, with deliveries to 1300+ countries, to bank accounts, mobile wallets and for cash collection.
Check out our Wise vs PayPal article to learn more.
How much does it cost to add money to PayPal?
The specific costs you need to know about are:
PayPal’s international fee for sending money to friends and family - from 4.99 USD, and more if you’re paying with a card
PayPal’s exchange rate markup - varies by currency and transaction typeWhen you transact internationally, the fee you pay and the exchange rate used to convert your money from one currency to another are both important. While transfer fees tend to be reasonably easy to find out, extra costs are also often added into the exchange rate applied, which can be harder to spot - and often far more expensive than the transfer fee itself.
To see the exchange rate you’ll be offered from PayPal you’ll need to use the currency converter tool which is available in the PayPal app or desktop site. Compare the PayPal Malaysia rate to the mid-market rate which you can find with a simple Google search. Often you’ll spot a difference of 3% or more - this is the PayPal exchange rate markup, and it pushes up the cost of your transaction significantly.
Depending on how you want to add money to your PayPal account, there may be a charge to pay:
| Service | PayPal Malaysia fee |
|---|---|
| Top up account in MYR from linked RHB bank account | No fee* |
| Receive payment in MYR from friends or family | No fee for the recipient If your sender is based outside Malaysia they will pay a fee and an exchange rate markup, which varies depending on the country they are in |
| Send money in MYR from a PayPal balance or linked bank account | No fee as long as no currency conversion is required |
| Send money in MYR from a linked card | 3.4% + any relevant conversion fee |
| Send money internationally | conversion fee of 3.5% - 4% of the payment value + 4.99 USD fixed fee when paying from a bank account or PayPal balance |
*⚠️At the time of research (December 2023), members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this option is not available any more. Double check with PayPal and RHB before you choose this method to add money to PayPal.
How long will it take to add money to PayPal?
As we’ve explored, not all PayPal accounts come with the option to add money from your own bank account. Instead, to hold a balance you may need to have someone else send you a payment from their PayPal account instead.
If you have a PayPal account which lets you add money from a linked bank account, it’ll usually arrive within about 3 working days. Several factors can make a difference to the delivery time:
Your own bank’s processes, and when the payment is initiated
Whether any currency conversion is needed
Value of the transfer
Transfers made out of hours, at weekends or during bank holidays will take longer
How to top-up PayPal using Maybank
You won’t be able to use your Maybank account to top up your PayPal account balance. However, you can still add your Maybank account or card to PayPal and have the funds drawn directly from your linked account when you spend or make a payment on PayPal. If you don’t yet have a card linked to your PayPal account this is what you’ll need to do to set up this feature:
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet
Click Add a card or bank account, then Add a card
Enter your Maybank card details
Review your information and click Agree and add
Which bank supports PayPal in Malaysia?
PayPal Malaysia previously allowed you to top up your PayPal account balance if you had an account with RHB and linked it to PayPal. However, at the time of research, members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this function is no longer operating.
The good news is that you don’t have to hold a PayPal balance - you can just link a bank account or card to PayPal instead, and then when you transact the funds are instantly drawn from your preferred payment method.
Conclusion: How to add money to PayPal account in Malaysia
While you don’t need to top up your PayPal Malaysia account to send and spend, you may prefer to add some money so you know you’ve got a balance ready for the next time you want to transact.
It used to be the case that in Malaysia you could add money to PayPal via a linked RHB bank account. Some PayPal account holders can also link a credit or debit card to make payments, although extra fees may apply in this case. At the time of writing, PayPal community members have reported that this function is no longer operational. If you can’t add a balance to PayPal yourself, you can still have someone send you a payment to PayPal which will be received as a PayPal balance credit.
There’s no fee to receive money in MYR to a Malaysian PayPal account, but if someone sends you money they may pay a fee depending on how they fund the transfer and what currency their PayPal account is held in.
If you’re transacting internationally you may be able to cut your overall costs if you choose an alternative provider. Services like Wise offer low transaction fees with the mid-market exchange rate - or an alternative like Western Union or WorldRemit may be a good choice if you’d rather the recipient gets their money in cash.
How to add balance to PayPal in Malaysia FAQs
How do I add balance to my PayPal account in Malaysia?
If you have a PayPal account in Malaysia, you may be able to top up your PayPal balance using your linked bank account. Some customers can also top up using a credit or debit card. However, at the time of research (December 2023), members of the PayPal Malaysia community report that this option is not available anymore. Instead, to add a balance, have someone send you a payment from their PayPal account to yours - or consider an alternative way to hold a balance in MYR and other currencies, like a multi-currency account from Wise.
Can I top up my PayPal account at 7-Eleven in Malaysia?
Unfortunately you are not able to top up your PayPal account at 7-Eleven in Malaysia.
How do I instantly top up PayPal?
In Malaysia you can top up PayPal by having someone else send you a payment. However, there may be a fee for the sender to pay - you may find it easier to link a bank account or card to your PayPal account using the automatic verification process, and send or spend that way instead.
Does PayPal work in Malaysia?
Yes. PayPal works in Malaysia and offers a variety of services.
How to top up PayPal without a credit card?
In Malaysia you can top up PayPal by having someone else send you a payment. Bear in mind the sender may pay a fee for this, depending on how they structure the transfer. You might find your sender can get a better deal with a PayPal alternative like Wise or Western Union.
How can I top up my PayPal Malaysia without RHB?
The easiest option is to top up PayPal by having someone else send you a payment. There’s no PayPal fee to receive a transfer in MYR to your PayPal account, so any money sent to you will be held as an account credit in PayPal.
How to add balance to PayPal in Malaysia FAQs
If you have a PayPal account in Malaysia, you can top up your PayPal balance using your linked RHB bank account. Some customers can also top up using a credit or debit card. To use your RHB online banking service to make a payment to PayPal, your PayPal account should be under the same name as your RHB account. Alternatively, you can add a linked payment card or have someone else send you money to PayPal.
Unfortunately you are not able to top up your PayPal account at 7-Eleven in Malaysia. You can however use your RHB bank account to top up your PayPal account, and in some cases you may also be able to top up with a linked debit or credit card.
In Malaysia you can top up PayPal for free from your RHB bank account, but the money may take up to 3 working days to arrive. You may find it faster to link a bank account or card to your PayPal account using the automatic verification process, and send or spend that way instead.
Yes. PayPal works in Malaysia and offers a variety of services.
You can top up a PayPal Malaysia account with a linked RHB bank account, or by having someone send you a PayPal payment. Some customers can also link a debit or credit card, and fund their payments with it.