Uk Tenders
⏱ 2 min read
📅 Updated May 2026
Banks Can Now Remove the £100 Contactless Limit — But Most Aren't Doing It
Banks have been free to raise or remove the £100 contactless limit since March 2026 — but most haven't. Here's which banks have changed it and what to do.
Banking — April 2026 April 3, 2026 — London Since 19 March 2026, UK banks have been free to raise or completely remove the £100 contactless payment limit that has been in place since 2021. But most banks are not changing it — and the limit remains £100 at the majority of high street banks unless you've been specifically told otherwise. Which Banks Have Changed the Limit?As of April 3, 2026, very few banks have announced changes to the contactless limit. Unless your bank has contacted you directly to notify you of a change, assume your limit is still £100. | Bank | Contactless Limit (April 2026) | Changed? |
|---|
| Barclays | £100 | No change announced | | HSBC | £100 | No change announced | | NatWest | £100 | No change announced | | Lloyds | £100 | No change announced | | Monzo | £100 | No change announced | | Starling | £100 | No change announced | | Chase | £100 | No change announced |
| Check with your bank directly — if they have raised your limit, they will have sent you a notification by app, email or letter. Don't assume the limit has changed. |
Why Are Banks Being Slow to Change?- Fraud concerns — higher limits increase the potential loss from a stolen card
- Technical updates required to POS terminals — not all retailers are ready
- Consumer demand is lower than expected — most payments under £100
- Liability issues — banks are cautious about increasing theft exposure
What Are Your Alternatives for Payments Above £100?- Use chip and PIN — no limit on chip and PIN transactions
- Use Apple Pay or Google Pay — these have higher or no limits depending on the bank
- Set up a standing order or bank transfer for regular large payments
- Use a credit card for larger purchases — also covers Section 75 protection
Bottom line: Despite banks being free to remove the £100 limit since March 2026, most have not changed it. The contactless limit at your bank is almost certainly still £100 unless you've been told otherwise. For payments above £100, use chip and PIN or mobile pay. |
By Chandraketu Tripathi · April 3, 2026 · kaeltripton.com |
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CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
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