In an effort to make it easier for people to maintain social distancing, the French Bank Federation (FBF) agreed to raise the limit to €50, with the new rule taking effect on Monday, may 11th, the day France began to lift its lockdown.
The goal of the measure is to make it easier for people to pay without touching the card machine even when purchasing larger quantities.
The World Health Organisation has advised people to use contactless payment instead of banknotes or coins, to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
France was already working on increasing the contactless payment limit to €50 by 2021, but has hurried the process in light of the coronavirus crisis.
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