From today, shoppers in the UK can make contactless card or mobile payments up to a value of £30 per transaction.

Contactless payments are those made without the use of a pin or signature, made by touching a contactless enabled payment card or mobile device against a compatible payment terminal.

The limit has gradually risen since the birth of contactless payments in 2007 when shoppers were limited to transactions up to £10. In 2010 this limit was raised to £15 and in 2012 raised again to £20.

The latest rise in transaction value follows a large rise in the use of contactless payments in the UK where contactless payment infrastructure has become more readily available to shoppers and users of public transport.

The UK Cards Association has advised that the rise to a £30 limit means that the average supermarket spend of £25 will now be covered, and it is predicted that this will cause a steep rise in the use of contactless payments in the UK in the near future.

The Association reported £2.5 billion spent using contactless payments in the first half of 2015. Graham Peacop, Chief Executive Officer of The UK Cards Association, said:

“Contactless payments are fast, easy and secure. With more contactless cards in wallets than ever before and a growing number of retailers accepting contactless payments, we have seen a huge rise in the number of payments being made.

“The growth in contactless payments shows people want to use contactless cards and increasing the limit gives customers even more opportunities to pay in this way.”