Transfer money via paypal?

Yorkie1

Not sure if this is the right forum, but on the basis it's about transferring money I thought I'd ask here ...

I have a friend who volunteers at an animal refuge in Spain. I'd like to donate money to them. They have a paypal account, as do I.

Is this a viable means of getting money to them? If so, what are the mechanics of doing so?

Thanks.

JuicyJesus

You issue a payment through PayPal to their email address, they then pick it up and withdraw the money to their bank account as you would here.

It's quite viable, and may be cheaper than a bank transfer depending on the amount.

Yorkie1

Many thanks, JJ.

I've set up the payment to my account; just need the refuge's email account now to complete it. I don't know if it's any cheaper this way as you say, but it has the benefit of being relatively fast.

mgdavid

it's free of any charges if you send it as a GIFT using the options on the paypal screen, and assuming it stays in the same currency.

zerog

If they are in Spain it is unlikely to be the same currency... there will also be a cross border fee. If you fund from a bank account then for small amounts it is probably the best rate you can get easily without leaving the house.

Yorkie1

Thanks all. I *think* I've managed it although I spent a looooong time getting very frustrated because it wouldn't use the funds in my PayPal balance but wanted to use my credit card - at considerable extra cost - and wouldn't give me the option of changing where the money came from.

Once I realised that it was doing this because the charges took me over the available balance, I got it sorted. I reduced the amount to be transferred, converted it into Euros before sending (yes I know it's not a great rate but for ease of convenience I'm prepared to accept that), and it appears to have been sent. (Fingers crossed ... )