Buying a coffee, picking up lunch or grabbing something from the shops: sometimes you just want to tap your card and get on with your day.
But sometimes, after a few taps, you’re asked to insert your card and enter your PIN instead. That’s been the case when you reach the default £200 limit across contactless payments, even if there’s nothing suspicious about the payment.
We wanted to make those everyday moments easier, while keeping your money safe. So we’re the first UK bank to remove the default £200 cumulative contactless limit, replacing it with smarter fraud checks.
The early results are promising. In our initial test, contactless payments that prompted a PIN check fell by 54% overall. Customers reported 30% less contactless fraud by value, compared with the existing approach.
Our new checks help us focus on payments that look suspicious, rather than applying the same spending threshold to everyone. That means we ask for a PIN where it’s more likely to protect you, while reducing checks on everyday payments.
Why we’re changing the limit
In March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) changed its rules to give banks more flexibility over contactless limits, as long as they have strong fraud protections in place. So we saw an opportunity to make payments smoother without compromising on security.
Instead of automatically asking for a PIN once you’ve spent a certain amount, we’re using risk-based checks to help spot potentially suspicious payments. We will still ask for chip and PIN when an extra security check is needed.
A smoother experience for young customers
For under-16s who use their card regularly, an unexpected PIN check can be more than a small interruption.
Many young customers don’t have access to a device where they can view their PIN. If they forget it while they’re out, they may need a parent or guardian to find it and share it with them. Fewer PIN checks mean they’re less likely to need that help.
In our test, contactless payments that prompted a PIN check fell by 96% for young accounts compared with the existing approach.
That means fewer interruptions at the till, and fewer moments when a young person might need to ask for help with their PIN.
Fewer interruptions, with fraud protection where it’s needed
We tested the new approach across two months, comparing customers using it with a group who kept the existing limit and fraud controls.
The early results were encouraging:
- Contactless payments that prompted a PIN check fell by 54% overall
Contactless payments that prompted a PIN check fell by 54% overall
- Customers reported 30% less unauthorised contactless fraud by value
Customers reported 30% less unauthorised contactless fraud by value
- Successful contactless payments increased by 4%
Successful contactless payments increased by 4%
Rather than relying on the same spending threshold for everyone, our checks help us focus on payments that may need closer attention.
You’re still in control
A few things aren’t changing:
- The £100 limit for a single contactless card payment stays in place.
The £100 limit for a single contactless card payment stays in place.
- If you’ve chosen your own cumulative contactless limit, we won’t change it.
If you’ve chosen your own cumulative contactless limit, we won’t change it.
- You can still choose to set a cumulative limit if you’d prefer one.
You can still choose to set a cumulative limit if you’d prefer one.
- You may still be asked to use chip and PIN when an extra security check is needed.
You may still be asked to use chip and PIN when an extra security check is needed.
We’re rolling out the new approach gradually, so it won’t be available to everyone straight away.
A little less friction at the checkout, with protection when it matters. That’s the kind of everyday banking we’re working towards.
