Apple Pay launches in the UK with support from 8 major banks

Apple has finally expanded its contactless payment service outside the US. Yes! Apple Pay has just launched in the UK with support from 8 major banks and more than 250,000 retail locations.

According to Apple’s UK website, the 8 major banks offering Apple Pay service at launch include American Express, First Direct, HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, and Ulster Bank.

While the Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA, and TSB are in the “coming soon” list.

Apple points that its NFC-based payment system can be used at over 250,000 locations across the UK, ranging from food corners like KFC, Subway and Starbucks to super markets like Marks & Spencer, Boots and Waitrose.

Full list of retail stores and apps that support Apple Pay can be found here.

Since Apple Pay is NFC-powered, users will require an iPhone 6, 6 Plus or Apple Watch to use Apple Pay. At launch, users will be limited to a transaction of £20, which will be increased to £30 coming September.