Belgium doubles contactless payment limits

Belgian banks are doubling the limits for contactless payments without having to enter a PIN code to 50 euros (for one payment) or 100 euros (accumulated), following the example of neighbouring countries.

Double

Starting 14 April, Belgian banks will gradually introduce higher limits for contactless payments without PIN confirmation. That will be required only for payments of 50 euros or higher (currently 25 euros), or when the value of a sequence of smaller payments exceeds 100 euros (currently 50 euros). The idea is to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

“Contactless payments are not just safe, but also hygienic as people touch the payment terminal keypad less often”, banking federation Febelfin says. The Netherlands has issued a similar increase of the limit last month, as did the United Kingdom and Ireland.