Set up PayPal account securely - how it works

To be able to pay securely on the Internet, you should set up a PayPal account. In our step-by-step instructions, we show you how to open your own PayPal account and make the necessary security settings within a few minutes.

Set up PayPal account: Secure to your own account

With PayPal you can pay quickly and securely at almost every online shop. For this you need an account with the payment service. This is set up quickly and free of charge for you as a buyer:

1. Open this PayPal website and click on the "Register New" button in the top right.
2. In the next step you decide on a "private account" or a "business account" - depending on how you want to use PayPal.
3. You will then be asked for your country, first and last name and your email address. You also set a secure password in this step. Confirm your entry with "Next".
4. On the following page, enter your address and telephone number and confirm with "Register".
5. You will now find an email in your inbox with a confirmation link. If you click on this link, you will be directed to the PayPal login page.
6. Enter your password here and click on "Next".
7. The next step is security questions that make your PayPal account even more secure.

PayPal account: More security through the following settings

• Security questions: Decide on two security questions and answer the questions so that you would give the same answer in several years. Confirm with "Send".
• Set up an account: Click on "Overview" and "Account". You can connect your PayPal account to your bank using the "Add bank account" button. You have to take this step if you want to use your PayPal account actively.
• In this step, you can also deposit a credit card with your PayPal account.
• Two-factor authentication: For more security, click on "Confirm mobile number" in the account overview. Enter your mobile phone number and then click on "Send code". You will now receive an SMS on your cell phone, in which you will find a code. Enter this code under "Enter security code" and confirm with the "Confirm phone number" button. You then have to request a code via SMS next to your password every time you log in to use PayPal.
• Other settings: Once your bank account has been confirmed, you can safely complete transactions with PayPal. If you click on the gear icon in the top right and select the "Security" tab in the settings, you can make further security settings and change your password, for example.