Calculate PayPal seller fees for UK domestic, EEA, and international transactions
PayPal fees are subject to change. Rates shown are based on published UK fees as of 2026. Always check the current rates on PayPal's website.
PayPal is one of the most widely used payment platforms for UK businesses, freelancers, and online sellers. While convenient for buyers, sellers need to understand the fee structure to price their products and services correctly. PayPal charges a percentage-based fee plus a fixed fee on every transaction, and the rates vary depending on where your buyer is located. For UK domestic transactions, the standard rate is 2.9% plus 30p per transaction. International transactions from EEA countries cost 4.19% plus 30p, while transactions from outside the EEA cost 4.89% plus 30p. Registered charities can access reduced rates. These fees can significantly affect your margins, especially on lower-value transactions where the fixed 30p component represents a larger proportion. This calculator shows the exact fee for any transaction amount, your net revenue after fees, the effective fee percentage, and a reverse calculation showing how much to charge if you want to receive a specific amount after PayPal takes its cut.
To use the PayPal fee calculator: 1. Enter the transaction amount in GBP. This is the total amount you expect to receive from the buyer. 2. Select the transaction type. Choose UK Domestic for buyers in the United Kingdom, EEA for buyers in the European Economic Area, or International for buyers elsewhere. Each has a different fee rate. 3. Select whether you qualify for charity rates. Registered UK charities can access lower fees: 1.4% plus 20p for domestic transactions. 4. Review the results. The calculator shows the PayPal fee, your net revenue (what you actually receive), the effective fee rate as a percentage, and the amount you would need to charge to receive the full transaction amount after fees. 5. Use the "Charge to Receive Full Amount" figure when pricing goods or services if you want to absorb PayPal fees rather than passing them to the buyer.
The fee calculation uses the following rates: Standard Rates: - UK Domestic: 2.9% + GBP 0.30 - EEA: 4.19% + GBP 0.30 - International: 4.89% + GBP 0.30 Charity Rates: - UK Domestic: 1.4% + GBP 0.20 - EEA: 3.69% + GBP 0.20 - International: 4.39% + GBP 0.20 Fee Calculation: PayPal Fee = (Transaction Amount x Rate%) + Fixed Fee Net Revenue = Transaction Amount - PayPal Fee Effective Fee Rate = (PayPal Fee / Transaction Amount) x 100% Reverse Calculation (to find the amount to charge): Amount to Charge = (Target Amount + Fixed Fee) / (1 - Rate/100) Example for GBP 100 domestic standard: Fee = (GBP 100 x 2.9%) + GBP 0.30 = GBP 2.90 + GBP 0.30 = GBP 3.20 Net revenue = GBP 100 - GBP 3.20 = GBP 96.80 Effective rate = 3.20% To receive GBP 100 after fees: (100 + 0.30) / (1 - 0.029) = GBP 103.30
Inputs: Transaction amount: GBP 100, Type: UK Domestic, Charity: No
Inputs: Transaction amount: GBP 50, Type: EEA, Charity: No
Inputs: Transaction amount: GBP 100, Type: UK Domestic, Charity: Yes
PayPal fees are a significant consideration for small businesses and freelancers in the UK. On lower-value transactions, the fixed 30p fee has a proportionally larger impact. For example, on a GBP 5 transaction, the effective fee rate is 8.9% (GBP 0.145 + GBP 0.30 = GBP 0.45), compared to 3.2% on a GBP 100 transaction. When selling on eBay, note that eBay has its own fee structure separate from payment processing fees. Our eBay Fees Calculator can help you understand the combined cost of selling on the platform. For VAT-registered businesses, remember that PayPal fees are a deductible business expense; use our Self-Assessment Calculator to factor these into your tax return. PayPal also offers micropayment rates for transactions under GBP 5 (5% + 5p) which may be more economical for very small payments, though these require a separate application. Always verify current rates on PayPal's website as they update their fee schedule periodically.