Turkey has increased the PIN-free contactless payment limit from 1,500 TL to 2,500 TL as of 15 January 2026, following guidance from the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK). The change reflects inflation and growing digital payment usage, while transactions above the limit still require PIN or biometric verification for security.
2026 Contactless Payment Limit in Turkey
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Turkey
Author: Ivana Picajkić
Category:
Fiscal subject related
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262
Content accuracy validation date:
29.01.2026
Content accuracy validation time:
08:04h
Turkey has increased the limit for contactless payments that can be made without entering a PIN. Following an official notice from Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) to banks, the new rules came into force on January 15, 2026.
New contactless payment limit:
- Old limit: 1,500 TL (~29 EUR)
- New limit: 2,500 TL (~48 EUR)
- Increase: About 67%
This means you can now pay up to 2,500 TL with a contactless card or mobile device without entering a PIN.
The previous limit had been in place since July 1, 2024, so this is the first update in about 1.5 years.
The main reasons for increasing the limit are:
- Inflation and higher prices – 1,500 TL was no longer enough for everyday spending like groceries, fuel, or restaurants.
- Faster shopping – people want to pay higher amounts quickly without typing a PIN.
- Digital payments growth – contactless and mobile payments are now widely used across Turkey.
Contactless payment is safe. The limit exists mainly for security reasons. Safety is ensured through:
- Encryption: Each payment uses a unique code.
- Dynamic security systems: Data changes constantly, making copying very difficult.
- Extra verification:
-
For payments above 2,500 TL, you must enter your card PIN
-
Or use biometric verification (fingerprint or face ID) on mobile devices
Turkey’s new limit is broadly in line with international practices.
Contactless payment can be disabled:
- Disable contactless payments via mobile banking or internet banking,
- Set lower limits, depending on your bank’s options,
- Some banks also limit the number of contactless transactions per day.
As of January 15, 2026, you can make contactless payments up to 2,500 TL without a PIN—just tap your card or phone on the POS terminal. Higher amounts still require PIN or biometric confirmation for security.
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