With new rules allowing banks to set their own contactless limits, many customers are checking whether they can now change the £100 cap.
For now, most major providers are keeping the limit in place. However, many already allow customers to lower it or switch contactless off altogether.
Here is how it works across the UK’s biggest banks.
NatWest
NatWest customers can already manage their contactless settings through the mobile app. While the bank has no plans to increase the £100 limit, users are able to reduce their limit or turn contactless payments off completely if they prefer.
Santander
Santander is also keeping the £100 cap in place. Customers have the option to set their own lower limit in £5 increments or switch off contactless entirely within the app.
Lloyds Banking Group (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland)
Customers can adjust their contactless limit in £5 steps up to £100 using their banking app. The group has said it intends to maintain this flexibility and has no plans to raise the cap.
Barclays
Barclays continues to apply the £100 limit, but customers can choose a lower cap through the app. No changes to the overall limit have been announced.
HSBC and First Direct
Both brands are keeping the £100 limit in place. Unlike some competitors, customers are not currently able to lower their contactless limit within the app.
Nationwide Building Society and Virgin Money
Customers can reduce their contactless limit below £100 if they wish. Neither provider has plans to increase the cap at this stage, although both say the situation is under review.
TSB
TSB is keeping the £100 limit unchanged. Customers can already lower their limit or switch contactless off through the app.
Starling Bank
Starling offers one of the most flexible setups, allowing customers to set their own contactless limit anywhere between £0 and £100 using a slider. The bank is reviewing the rule changes but has not announced any updates.
Monzo
Monzo customers can customise their contactless settings, including lowering the limit or turning the feature off completely. There are no changes to limits at present.
Revolut
Revolut is keeping the £100 limit and does not currently allow customers to set a lower single transaction cap. However, users can control spending by setting monthly limits across their account.
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What the contactless rule change means
The changes come after new rules from the Financial Conduct Authority, which allow banks to move away from a fixed national limit.
While this gives firms the option to raise or remove the £100 cap in future, all major banks are taking a cautious approach for now.
Consumer experts say easier payments can influence how people spend. Rebecca Bebbington from NetVoucherCodes warns: "There’s no doubt the removal of the contactless spending limit will have a noticeable impact on how consumers shop.
"Contactless payments are fast and frictionless, which means people don’t have to handle physical cash or even input their PINs to purchase items anymore. Because of this, purchases feel almost effortless.
"This often encourages impulse buying, historically on small, frequent transactions like coffee, snacks, or convenience items."
She adds: "The limit removal will also most likely increase fraud. If the card is physically stolen, or cloned, the fraudster doesn’t need your PIN to make high-value transactions.
"The lack of a PIN also means that there’s less chance the transaction will be blocked at the point of sale. Because of this, people should look to add push notifications on their phone of any bank activity.
"While more convenient for the average shopper, this change might in fact benefit banks and scammers more than the general public."
