Contactless Payments in the UK

Barclaycard have reported that contactless transactions surged in the UK during 2021.

Taking friction out of purchases

The increase to the £100 payment limit has been a great opportunity to take friction out of the purchase experience. This is especially the case in busy stores where queues can quickly build up. Speed at the checkout will often avoid shoppers going elsewhere, which is why the limit increase is a win-win for cardholders and merchants

Rob Cameron, CEO of Barclaycard Payments

Contactless Payment Limit Timeline

2021’s contactless limit increase was the fifth limit increase since contactless payments to the value of £10 were introduced in 2007: