PAYPAL · READ 2026-10-14 · SOURCES
PayPal 180-day hold: limitation and reserve
PayPal says a hold on a challenged payment can last longer than 21 days but no longer than 180 days, and that it may hold a balance for up to 180 days to protect against the risk of liability. A court order or regulation can extend it. Source: paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (PayPal User Agreement), read 2026-10-14.
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The 180-day limit
OFFICIAL If the payment is challenged as one that should be reversed, the hold can last longer, but no longer than 180 days.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL PayPal may hold a balance for up to 180 days if reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability, or on a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL The hold may stay longer than 180 days under a court order, regulation or another legal process.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL If a marketplace or other third party gave the hold, you need to contact that party directly.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL You have to start a pending withdrawal again once the limitation or hold has been lifted.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)Reserves
OFFICIAL A business reserve can be rolling (example in the agreement: 10% held for a 90-day rolling period) or a minimum reserve.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL PayPal says it will notify you of the terms of a reserve and of changes to it.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)A limited account
OFFICIAL A limited account means you may not be able to do certain things, for example send or withdraw money.
Source: PayPal Help: How long will it take to lift my limitation? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-long-will-it-take-to-lift-my-paypal-account-limitation-help531 (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL To start, go to your Resolution Center or click the bell icon at the top of your Dashboard.
Source: PayPal Help: How do I remove a limitation from my account? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-remove-a-limitation-from-my-account-help535 (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL After you complete the steps, the review usually takes 3 business days. PayPal tells you by email.
Source: PayPal Help: How long will it take to lift my limitation? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-long-will-it-take-to-lift-my-paypal-account-limitation-help531 (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL If every step is done and the account is still limited, PayPal says it is still reviewing what you sent or already asked for more information by email.
Source: PayPal Help: How do I remove a limitation from my account? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-remove-a-limitation-from-my-account-help535 (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL How long it takes depends on the complexity of your case.
Source: PayPal Help: How do I remove a limitation from my account? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-remove-a-limitation-from-my-account-help535 (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL Customer service cannot remove a limitation over the phone.
Source: PayPal Help: Why is my PayPal account limited? - paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/why-is-my-paypal-account-limited-help534 (read 2026-10-14)Information and cooperation
OFFICIAL To ask about a limitation, hold or reserve, visit the Resolution Center or follow the instructions in the email notice.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL PayPal decisions may be based on confidential criteria.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)OFFICIAL You agree to cooperate with PayPal's reasonable requests for financial statements and other documentation, in a timely way.
Source: PayPal User Agreement (last updated September 14, 2026) - paypal.com/us/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full (read 2026-10-14)What to do first
- Start in your Resolution Center, or click the bell icon at the top of your Dashboard. (point P2)
- Complete the steps PayPal lists. PayPal says the review then usually takes 3 business days and that it tells you by email. (point P3)
- Answer PayPal's reasonable requests for financial statements and other documents in a timely way. (point P27)
What not to do
- Do not wait for a phone call to lift a limitation: PayPal says customer service cannot remove one over the phone. (point P10)
- Do not try to open a new or additional PayPal account to get around a limitation: PayPal lists that as restricted activity. (point P31)
Questions
Does every PayPal hold last 180 days?
The pages we read give 180 days as an outer limit, not as a standard length. They do not say every hold lasts that long.
Can a hold last longer than 180 days?
PayPal says the hold may stay longer than 180 days under a court order, regulation or another legal process.
What is the difference between a limitation and a hold?
PayPal Help says a limited account means you may not be able to do certain things, for example send or withdraw money. The User Agreement describes holds on a balance or a payment. The pages we read describe them separately.
Who decides how long it lasts?
PayPal. It says its decisions may be based on confidential criteria.