From April 1st, users in the UK will be able to use their smartphones, smartwatches and contactless bank cards at any contactless terminal to make payments of up to £45. This is an increase of £15 from the current £30 limit.
According to UK Finance, voice for the banking and finance industry , the changes were already under consideration, but the process has been expedited as part of the industry’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak to support consumers who choose to pay using contactless at this time.
The move comes as shops and retailers left open are trying to encourage more people to pay by card, and where possible contactless, in order to minimize the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
Currently, mobile payments do not have an upper limit when authenticated through biometric technologies. and there is no limit to payments that are made using Apple Pay in the UK.
Stephen Jones, CEO of UK Finance, said:
“The payments industry has been working closely with retailers to be able to increase the contactless payment limit to help customers with their shopping at this critical time for the country.
“This will give more people the choice to opt for the speed and convenience of purchasing goods using their contactless card, helping to cut queues at the checkout.
“The industry continues to work closely with the government and regulators to support customers impacted by Covid-19 and ensure that they can pay in a way that suits them.”
UK Finance is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry. Representing more than 250 firms across the industry, they act to enhance competitiveness, support customers and facilitate innovation
In the past few days, governments and the payments industry in Greece, Ireland, Malta, Poland and Turkey have worked together to raise the contactless payments limit.
Turkey announced it is increasing the current contactless limit of 120TL and will only require a PIN entry for purchases above 250TL; while Poland has raised the limit to 100PLN, Ireland, Greece and Malta are raising the limit to 50EUR, and a number of other European countries are reviewing an increase.
