Finance
British regulator proposes scrapping limit on contactless card payments
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 10, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 10, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
The FCA proposes allowing UK card providers to set their own contactless payment limits, aiming for convenience while maintaining fraud protection.
LONDON (Reuters) -Contactless card payments in Britain could exceed a 100-pound ($135.35) limit under new proposals outlined by the markets regulator on Wednesday.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it was proposing giving card providers the flexibility to decide the right limit for them and their customers, noting that people could benefit from more convenient larger payments.
The consultation, which will run until October 15, is one of around 50 measures the FCA outlined in a letter to the prime minister in January to support economic growth and prioritise digital solutions.
Many card providers already allow customers to adjust personal contactless limits or turn off contactless functionality on their card altogether, amid more well-established fraud controls, the FCA said.
"While we wouldn't expect to see immediate changes to limits by firms, they would have the flexibility to make payments more convenient for customers," said David Geale, the FCA's executive director of payments and digital finance.
"People are still protected; even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently."
($1 = 0.7388 pounds)
(Reporting by Kirstin RidleyEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is proposing to remove the 100-pound limit on contactless card payments, allowing card providers to set their own limits.
The consultation will run until October 15, as part of the FCA's broader measures to support economic growth.
Consumers are protected against fraudulent use of their cards, as firms will refund money if a card is used fraudulently.
Card providers will have the flexibility to decide the right contactless payment limit for their customers, potentially making payments more convenient.
The FCA outlined around 50 measures in a letter to the prime minister, focusing on prioritizing digital solutions and enhancing payment systems.
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