How to Transfer Money from Skrill to PayPal: A Practical Guide

A couple of months ago, I found myself scratching my head, trying to figure out how to move some funds from my Skrill account to PayPal. I had earned a bit of cash from freelance work paid through Skrill, but I needed it in my PayPal account to cover some online purchases. Sounds simple, right? Not quite. If you’ve ever tried this, you know there’s no direct “Transfer to PayPal” button in Skrill’s dashboard. After some digging, a few trials, and one minor headache, I managed to get it done.

Here’s what I learned about transferring money from Skrill to PayPal, written for anyone else stuck in the same spot.

Why Is This So Complicated? First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: Skrill and PayPal are competitors. Both are digital wallets vying for your loyalty, so they don’t exactly make it easy to shuffle money between each other. There’s no built-in feature to send funds directly from one to the other, which means you’ll need to use a workaround. The good news? It’s doable with a bit of patience and the right steps.

The Main Methods to Transfer Money After scouring forums, watching YouTube tutorials, and even emailing Skrill’s support (they weren’t super helpful, to be honest), I narrowed it down to two reliable ways to make this transfer happen: using a bank account as a middleman or using a trusted third-party exchange service. Let’s break them down.

Method 1: Use a Bank Account as a Bridge This is the most straightforward approach, but it takes a few days and involves some fees. Here’s how it works:

Link a bank account to your Skrill wallet: Log into your Skrill account, head to the “Cards and Bank Accounts” section, and add your bank account details. Make sure the account is in your name, as Skrill is strict about matching names for security reasons. You might need to verify the account by uploading a bank statement or confirming a small test deposit.

Withdraw funds from Skrill to your bank account: Once your bank account is linked, go to the “Withdraw” section in Skrill. Select your bank account, enter the amount you want to transfer, and confirm. Skrill usually charges a withdrawal fee (around $5.50 or equivalent, depending on your currency). The transfer can take 2–5 business days to hit your bank.

Add the funds to PayPal from your bank account: Now, log into PayPal and link the same bank account if it’s not already connected. Go to “Wallet,” click “Link a bank account,” and follow the prompts. Once linked, transfer the money from your bank to PayPal. This step is usually free in most countries, but it can take another 1–3 days for the funds to appear in your PayPal balance.

Pros:

1. Secure, as you’re dealing directly with your bank.
2. No third-party services involved.

Cons:

1. Slow (you’re looking at up to a week for the whole process). Fees on Skrill’s end can add up.
2. Some banks charge for incoming international transfers, so check with yours first.

I used this method for my first transfer because I was wary of third-party platforms. It worked fine, but the waiting game wasn’t fun, and I lost a few bucks to fees. If you’re not in a rush and prefer sticking to official channels, this is a solid option.

Method 2: Use a Third-Party Exchange Service If you need the money faster or want to avoid bank transfer fees, a third-party exchange service might be your best bet. These platforms specialize in converting funds between digital wallets like Skrill and PayPal. After some research, I tried this method for a smaller amount to test the waters, and it was surprisingly smooth.

Here’s how it generally works:

Find a reputable exchange service: Look for a platform with good reviews, transparent fees, and a track record of reliability. I came across **ChangeBuz.com** through a friend’s recommendation, and it seemed legit based on user feedback on forums.

Create an account and verify your identity: Most exchange services require you to sign up and verify your identity (think ID upload or a quick KYC process). This is standard for security and anti-fraud measures. On ChangeBuz, the process was quick, taking about 10 minutes.

Initiate the exchange: Select “Skrill to PayPal” as your exchange option, enter the amount you want to transfer, and provide your Skrill and PayPal email addresses. The service will calculate the amount you’ll receive after fees and show you the exchange rate. Confirm the transaction, and follow the instructions to send your Skrill funds to the service’s Skrill account.

Wait for the funds to hit your PayPal: Depending on the service, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. With ChangeBuz, my transfer was completed in about 2 hours, which was way faster than the bank method.

Pros:

1. Much quicker than the bank transfer route.
2. Often lower fees than multiple bank withdrawals and deposits.
3. Convenient for frequent transfers between wallets.

I was initially skeptical about using an exchange service, but ChangeBuz worked well for me. It’s not perfect — fees and exchange rates can sting — but for small, urgent transfers, it’s a lifesaver. Just make sure to read the fine print and start with a small amount to test the service.

My Personal Take After trying both methods, I lean toward using an exchange service like ChangeBuz. Your choice depends on how fast you need the funds and how much you’re willing to pay in fees. Transferring money between Skrill and PayPal isn’t as seamless as it should be in 2025, but it’s manageable with the right approach. I hope this guide saves you some of the trial and error I went through. If you’ve got other tips or services you swear by, drop them in the comments — I’d love to hear what’s working for you!