The Financial Conduct Authority has announced it will hand the responsibility to set payment limits for contactless card transactions to businesses, in order to “provide flexibility for the future.”
The new measures will allow retailers “with strong fraud controls” to amend limits as a response to changing consumer behaviours, however the authority added that existing consumer protections “will remain in place.”
“Contactless is people’s favoured way to pay,” said David Geale, the FCA’s executive director of payments and digital finance. “We want to make sure our rules provide flexibility for the future, and choice for both firms and consumers.”
The move follows recent research by Barclays that revealed 95 percent of in-store transactions in 2024 were contactless, and was welcomed by UK trade associations.
“Making life easier for consumers is a positive for any hospitality and high street business,” said UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls. “Lifting the limit can mean quicker and easier experiences for consumers.”
“Contactless is a very popular and secure way to pay,” added UK Finance director Jana Mackintosh. “While we do not expect to see any immediate change to the £100 contactless limit, any changes made in the future will be done carefully and ensure strong security and fraud controls remain in place.”
Originally published on Coinslot on March 9, 2026. Republished with permission.