COVID-19 Update: Contactless payment limit increased to £45

To help battle the spread of COVID-19 the spending limit for contactless card payments will be increased from £30 to £45, with a national roll-out beginning from 1 April 2020, according to industry trade body UK Finance.

The decision to raise the limit was taken following consultation between the retail sector and the finance and payments industry and follows similar increases in several other European countries over the past week.

The changes, UK Finance says, were already under consideration by the industry but were speeded up following the Covid-19 outbreak.

From 1 April 2020, consumers will begin to see an increasing number of retailers accepting contactless card payments up to the new £45 limit. Given the pace at which this change is being rolled out, the new limits will take some time to be introduced across all retailers.

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."