Can You Use PayPal on Amazon?

Amazon does not accept PayPal directly as a payment method on its main site. However, there are several practical workarounds that allow PayPal users to shop on Amazon by utilising debit cards, virtual cards and gift cards linked to their PayPal accounts.

Why Amazon Doesn’t Accept PayPal

Despite its global popularity, PayPal is not one of the accepted payment options on Amazon. This decision is likely influenced by Amazon’s strategy to promote its own payment ecosystem—such as Amazon Pay—and to avoid supporting a direct competitor, given PayPal’s origins with eBay. As a result, PayPal is explicitly listed among payment methods that Amazon.co.uk does not accept

Workarounds: Using PayPal to Shop on Amazon

While you cannot use PayPal directly, these alternative methods allow you to leverage your PayPal balance when buying on Amazon:

PayPal Debit Card or Business Debit Mastercard

If you hold a PayPal Debit Card or a PayPal Business Debit Mastercard, you can use these cards just like any other Mastercard or Visa. This way, your Amazon payment is drawn from your PayPal balance. The process is seamless and involves no special account linking.

PayPal Key Virtual Card

PayPal Key provides users with a virtual Mastercard number, which can be entered during checkout on Amazon. Since it operates like a standard card, it enables you to pay using PayPal funds without needing a physical card .

Buying Amazon Gift Cards with PayPal

Numerous third-party platforms allow you to purchase Amazon gift cards using PayPal. You can then redeem those gift cards on Amazon to fund your purchases. Though straightforward, this route may involve additional fees or commission charged by the gift card vendor.

Transferring PayPal Funds to Bank Account

A less direct method is to withdraw funds from PayPal to your linked bank account, then use that account or a debit card for Amazon payments. While slower, it avoids the need for special card services or gift cards.

Emerging Integration: PayPal via Buy with Prime

A significant development emerged in September 2024 when Amazon announced that customers using Buy with Prime on external merchant websites could begin paying with PayPal as part of a branded checkout collaboration. Furthermore, from next year Prime members may also link their Amazon and PayPal accounts directly in this context, enabling PayPal checkout with Prime benefits such as fast shipping. Crucially, this integration applies only to merchants using the Buy with Prime service and does not yet apply to Amazon’s main marketplace checkout.

How to Choose the Best Option for You

Selecting the right method depends on your needs. If you frequently make Amazon purchases and already have a PayPal card, the PayPal Debit Card or PayPal Key offers the simplest experience. For occasional Amazon shopping, purchasing gift cards via PayPal may be more cost-effective despite a small markup. For those seeking a fully native solution, watching how the PayPal integration via Buy with Prime evolves in the UK will be worthwhile.

The Future of PayPal on Amazon

The expansion of PayPal’s role within Amazon’s ecosystem signals a strategic shift. While PayPal cannot be used directly at checkout today, the partnership with Buy with Prime suggests that Amazon recognises its value as a flexible payment option. As this service rolls out more broadly, the gap between platforms may narrow—and PayPal may become a standard part of the Amazon payments experience in the future.

Conclusion

Amazon does not currently accept PayPal as a direct payment method, but several effective workarounds let PayPal users shop on the platform. Whether through a PayPal debit or virtual card, purchasing gift cards or transferring funds, these solutions provide flexibility. With the upcoming integration of PayPal into Buy with Prime, we may soon see PayPal more fully embraced within Amazon’s wider ecosystem.