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How to Link PayPal to a Nintendo Account

Instructions on linking an existing PayPal account to a Nintendo Account.

This option is currently available to customers who are 18 years or older from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
You can create a PayPal account through www.paypal.com, then link the account via Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo website.
Once linked, PayPal can be used for the following types of digital purchases:
- Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch – Add Nintendo eShop funds and purchase Nintendo Switch software.
- Nintendo website – Purchase Nintendo Switch software.

Select “PayPal” as the payment method when adding funds or purchasing software.
- This option is only available to Nintendo Account owners in the available countries mentioned above who are aged 18 years or older.
- When purchasing a game, this option will only appear if you do not currently have sufficient funds to complete the purchase.

Use a smart device to scan the QR Code displayed on the "Linking a PayPal Account" screen.
- If this option does not appear, then you have already linked a PayPal account to your Nintendo Account.
- If you can't scan the QR Code, visit https://ec.nintendo.com/paypal/agreement.
The Nintendo Account website will open. Sign in to your Nintendo Account or re-enter your password if you are already signed in.
Select “Link”.
Sign in to your PayPal account or create a new PayPal account.
- If you need help with this process or can’t remember your PayPal sign-in information, please visit www.paypal.com for assistance.
Review the PayPal policies and select “Agree & Continue” to finish linking your accounts.
When your PayPal account has been linked, select “Confirm” on your Nintendo Switch console.
- You may receive the message "Your PayPal account could not be confirmed". If you completed the linking process on the Nintendo Account website, wait a while before trying to use PayPal again. If the linking process is not complete, finish it on the Nintendo Account website before trying again.
You can now use the “PayPal” option on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and on the Nintendo website to complete your digital purchase.

Select “Link”.
Sign in to your PayPal account or create a new PayPal account.
- If you need help with this process or can’t remember your PayPal sign-in information, please visit www.paypal.com for assistance.
When prompted, choose the payment method you want to use from the accounts you have on file with Paypal (bank account, credit card, etc.). Select “Continue”.
Review the PayPal policies and select “Agree & Continue” to finish linking your accounts.
You can now use the “PayPal” option on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and on the Nintendo website to complete your digital purchase.