This year, the limit of contactless transactions without a PIN will increase to PLN 100

First MasterCard asked the Polish National Bank. Later, VISA decided to take a similar step. As a result, the limit of contactless transactions will be increased. By paying with the card at the checkout, we will pay without entering a PIN of up to PLN 100.

When the first contactless payment cards appeared in Poland more than a decade ago, there was a known fear of a new one. To encourage this form of transaction, a payment limit has been introduced without entering a PIN. The PLN 50 border seemed secure.

Familiar with this form of payment, we are not surprised when someone puts a card at the cash register at the terminal or pays a smartphone or watch. More and more often, we complain about the limit of PLN 50. That's how much it can pay without giving a PIN.

The first was the MasterCard application.

Determining the limit of contactless transactions is one of the tasks of the National Bank of Poland. If you want to change anything in this matter - you have to ask the institution with an appropriate conclusion. MasterCard decided to take this step in May last year.

We believe that the Polish market is mature enough and ready for this change - Bartosz Ciołkowski , the general director of the Polish branch of Mastercard Europe, assured then .

The NBP agreed to MasterCard's request. Thus, already in the second quarter of 2019, paying by contact with the MastarCard family card, we will pay 100 PLN without a PIN, and not 50 PLN as before.

VISA also wants to reduce the limit of contactless transactions.

In the third quarter of this year, the holders of VISA payment cards will be in a similar situation. Although it can not be ruled out that MasterCard and VISA will decide on a common deadline for making changes. The American payment card issuer submitted an appropriate application to the NBP on this matter in September 2018. And the answer came. Similarly as in the case of MasterCard, it was agreed that the limit of contactless transactions without a PIN would be raised to PLN 100.

Banks are consulted regarding the optimal timing and manner of implementing this change. Our priority is to preserve the balance between the comfort and safety of consumers and retailers - VISA informs .

That's what users wanted.

Poles will applaud these changes. At least this is suggested by the results of various analyzes. According to the POLASIK Research study , commissioned by MasterCard, it appears that as much as 67 percent. respondents expected to increase from 50 to 100 zlotys the limit for contactless transactions.

For over 10 years we have proved in Poland that we like and use contactless transactions. According to MasterCard, 85 percent. transactions with their cards are implemented in Poland without contact. In Europe, only Czechs do it more often (93%). The European average is only 48 percent.

Nobody can compare with us on the Old Continent and not only in terms of the number of terminals supporting contactless transactions. Today, 99.9 percent of them are like us, and in a moment all of them are supposed to allow you to pay contactless.

In the coming weeks, Poland will become the first country in the world in which it will be possible to pay at any physical point of sale, " says Jakub Kiwior , general manager of Visa in Poland and Hungary.

Poland closer to Europe.

The above-mentioned data has nothing to do with the limit of contactless transactions in our country since 2007. How is it in other countries? One of the highest is in the UK - 30 pounds. In France and Ireland, we will do shopping for a maximum of 30 euros without entering a PIN code. Somewhat less in Lithuania - 25 euros, and in Slovakia 20 euros. Until now, they could enjoy a larger limit in Romania, where the limit for contactless transactions was set at 100 leas, or about 90 zlotys.

This year, the limit of contactless transactions without a PIN will increase to PLN 100