PayPal referrals: how they work, availability and conditions (2026)

PayPal is the online payment pioneer, founded in 1998, with more than 430 million active accounts and acceptance in more than 50 million shops. In France, it is available on almost all major platforms (Amazon, Fnac, Cdiscount, Vinted) and remains one of the most common ways to send money between individuals. Data checked on 23 April 2026.

What each person receives

There are two things to bear in mind. The “up to 10€” depends on the active campaign when you take action: the amount may be 10€, 5€, or something else. The referred friend must also complete a first transaction (a purchase from a merchant website or a money transfer), as registration alone is not always enough. The golden rule remains the same: check paypal.com/fr just before sharing.

The key point: an intermittent programme

This is a distinctive feature that no other programme on this site takes quite as far. With PayPal, referrals are not guaranteed to be permanently available. The programme is activated during temporary windows, sometimes for certain customer segments only. The practical consequence is very clear: if you cannot find a referral section in your account, it is not a bug; the programme is simply not open to you at that moment. Check again a few weeks later.

The right approach follows from this uncertainty: share the link rather than an amount. If you advertise 10€ and the programme changes between your message and your referred friend's registration, their expectations will not be met. It is better to say, “here's my link, check the bonus shown when you register”, than to promise an amount that may change.

For the referrer: what to do

Sign in at paypal.com and look for an “Invite friends”, “Referral” or “Recommend PayPal” section, sometimes shown as a banner in the app. If it is missing, the programme is not active for you, so there is no point persisting. If it is there, copy your unique link (the format varies by campaign: direct link, code, or email invitation).

When it comes to finding people to refer, the best approach is counter-intuitive. With 430 million accounts, most people you know already have PayPal. Focus first on those who do not yet shop online very often: an older person who is getting started, a young adult beginning to shop online, or someone who usually pays you in cash or by bank transfer. Sell the usefulness before the reward: paying online without re-entering card details on every website, buyer protection on eligible orders, and instant money transfers. These are the real deciding factors.

For the referred friend: registering correctly

Click the link you received. Do not create your account by going directly to paypal.com, otherwise the referral will not be tracked. Registration takes five to ten minutes: you will need an email address, telephone number, and a bank card or bank account to link. PayPal sends confirmation codes to secure the account, and these checks must be completed before the first transaction.

The remaining step triggers the reward: make a first purchase on a website that accepts PayPal, or send money for the first time (provided the programme is active and the terms are met). The reward may arrive as PayPal credit that can be used on future purchases or as a transfer: check its form in your account area.

PayPal compared with the alternatives

Lydia, a French fintech, focuses on payments between individuals (paying a friend back or splitting a bill): it overlaps with PayPal in this area but remains far behind in merchant availability. Revolut, an online bank with a Visa card, can partly replace PayPal for online payments, but the experience remains different and its referral offer varies by period. PayPal retains its unique advantage: ubiquity among merchants.

Common questions

Is the programme always active? Not necessarily. PayPal activates and deactivates its referral programme according to its campaigns. Check paypal.com/fr to see whether an offer is available for your account at that particular moment.

Does the referred friend need to open a new account? Yes, the programme is aimed at people creating their first PayPal account, followed by a first transaction to trigger the reward.

Is PayPal secure? It is one of the world's most widely used payment systems, with buyer protection on eligible purchases. Your bank details are not shared with merchants, reducing the risk of fraud.

Check before taking action: amount (up to 10€) and terms checked on 23/04/2026, but the PayPal programme varies by campaign and may be unavailable. Always visit paypal.com/fr for the current offer. PlanParrainPromo.fr is not a PayPal partner.

In summary

PayPal referrals are useful but variable: amounts of up to 10€ and fluctuating availability depending on the campaign. The argument for recommending PayPal is not the reward but the service's genuine usefulness: 430 million users, 50 million shops and buyer protection. For a contact who does not yet have an account and is starting to shop online, it is a natural recommendation with a small bonus on top. Up-to-date terms are available on the PayPal referral, availability and verified conditions page.

See also

• Back Market referrals 2026: 15€ off refurbished products
• Shein referrals 2026: discount vouchers and an honest review
• Best referral codes 2026: all active offers