Contactless payments started with a £10 limit in 2007. It rose to £20, £30, £45 and then £100. In March 2026, the rule changed completely: the regulator no longer sets a limit at all.
Here’s what that means when you tap your card.
What changed?
On 19 March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) removed the rule that capped a single contactless card payment at £100. Now banks and card providers can set their own limits, as long as they have strong fraud controls.
The FCA also wants banks to give customers more control, including the ability to set their own limit or turn contactless off.
Has my limit changed?
Probably not yet. Most banks have kept the £100 limit for now and are making changes gradually. Limits may start to vary from bank to bank, so:
- Check your banking app or your bank’s website.
- Look out for messages from your bank about changes.
There’s also still a cumulative limit. After a certain amount of contactless spending, or a number of taps in a row, you’ll be asked for your PIN.
Phones never had the limit
If you pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay, you may have noticed you can already spend more than £100. That’s because every payment is approved with your face, fingerprint or PIN, so the bank knows it’s really you.
Paying by phone or watch is generally safer than using the card:
- A thief can’t use it without your face, fingerprint or passcode.
- Your real card number isn’t shared with the shop.
- You can lock or erase a lost phone remotely.
Take control of your cards
Most banking apps now let you:
- Set your own contactless limit
- Turn contactless off completely
- Freeze and unfreeze your card instantly
- Turn off online, overseas or cash machine use
- Get an instant notification for every payment
Have a look in your app’s card settings. It takes a minute.
What if my card is lost or stolen?
- Freeze it in your banking app straight away.
- Report it to your bank and order a replacement.
- You’re protected. Under UK rules you aren’t liable for unauthorised payments, provided you haven’t been grossly negligent and you report it promptly.
Is contactless safe?
Yes. Contactless fraud is a small proportion of card fraud, and the protections are strong. The bigger risks are online scams and phishing, where people are tricked into giving away card details or approving payments.
- Never share a one-time passcode from your bank with anyone.
- Turn on payment notifications so you spot anything unusual at once.
- Be wary of calls claiming to be from your bank. Hang up and call the number on your card.
💡 Tip: add your cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay and use your phone or watch for everyday spending. It’s quicker, has no £100 limit, and is useless to a thief.
Wrapping up
The £100 contactless cap is gone, but your bank decides what happens next. Check your banking app, set a limit you’re comfortable with, turn on payment alerts, and consider paying by phone for extra security.
Next in the series: iPhone–Android Texts Are Now Encrypted: RCS Messaging Explained
Sources: MoneyWeek: £100 contactless card limit lifted · Money To The Masses: £100 contactless limit scrapped · FStech: FCA moves to scrap contactless limit
