PayPal account restricted and balance frozen?
Suddenly your PayPal account is restricted, payments no longer work, and your balance is held back, sometimes with a reference to a 180-day reserve? That is annoying, but you have ways to get clarification and your money.
Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:
Demand a payout →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
- 1
1. Ask for the reason
Demand in writing the concrete justification for the restriction and which documents are required.
- 2
2. Provide proof
Submit requested proof (identity, order receipts) to speed up the review.
- 3
3. Demand the payout
Demand the release and payout of your balance with a deadline.
- 4
4. Complaint/conciliation
If it remains, use the conciliation/ombudsman body; for financial service providers, BaFin can be informed.
Frequently asked questions
May PayPal simply retain my balance?
The balance remains your property. Providers may restrict accounts for security or terms-of-service reasons and hold amounts temporarily as a reserve, but not permanently without reason. Demand a justification, submit requested proof and demand the payout with a deadline.
Where can I complain if the account stays blocked?
First directly with the provider, setting a deadline. If that does not help, you can involve a conciliation or ombudsman body. If it is a supervised financial service provider, you can also inform BaFin. Document the entire correspondence.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.