Contactless payments have evolved from a convenience to a customer expectation. Here are five trends you need to know about in 2026.
1. Increased Transaction Limits
The contactless payment limit in the UK has risen progressively, and 2026 sees further increases for specific merchant categories. Customers now expect to make larger purchases without entering a PIN, making checkout faster than ever.
What this means for your business:
- Faster transaction times during peak hours
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Reduced queue lengths
2. Wearable Payment Devices
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and even payment rings are gaining mainstream adoption. Customers appreciate the convenience of paying without reaching for their wallet or phone.
Implementation tip: Ensure your payment terminals support NFC payments from all devices, not just cards and smartphones.
3. Biometric Authentication
Fingerprint and facial recognition are becoming standard on mobile payment apps, adding an extra layer of security while maintaining speed and convenience.
The benefit: Customers feel more secure making larger contactless payments, potentially increasing your average transaction value.
4. QR Code Payments
While contactless cards dominate in the UK, QR code payments are gaining traction, especially among younger consumers and in table service environments.
Use cases:
- Table ordering in restaurants
- Pay-at-table in hospitality venues
- Market stalls and mobile businesses
- Integration with loyalty programs
5. Integrated Loyalty Programs
The most exciting trend is the convergence of payments and loyalty. Customers can now earn rewards automatically during contactless transactions without presenting a separate loyalty card.
Why it matters:
- Increased customer retention
- Valuable purchase data
- Personalized marketing opportunities
- Simplified checkout process
Staying Ahead
To capitalize on these trends, ensure your payment infrastructure:
- Supports all contactless methods (cards, mobile wallets, wearables)
- Is software-updateable for new payment limits and protocols
- Integrates with your CRM for loyalty program data
- Provides detailed analytics on payment method preferences
- Offers flexible deployment (counter, mobile, table-side)
The Bottom Line
Contactless payments aren't just about speed—they're about meeting customer expectations and gathering valuable business insights. Businesses that embrace these trends will enjoy higher customer satisfaction, faster transactions, and better data for decision-making.
Need to upgrade your payment terminals? Explore our contactless-ready card terminals or contact our team for advice.
Last updated: 1 January 2026