Pix by approximation will have new rules starting this Thursday (1st). The Central Bank (BC) removed the specific ceiling of R$500 per transaction for this payment method. With the change, the customer will be able to ask the bank to increase or reduce the limits applied to operations, which will continue to be subject to the security rules of each account.
The change was established by BCB Normative Instruction No. 746, published by the Central Bank in June. The measure also covers transactions carried out by QR Code, access keys and operations initiated by the Open Finance journey without redirection (JSR) (data sharing mechanism between financial institutions).
In practice, the end of the R$500 ceiling does not mean that the user will be able to make payments of any amount automatically. The limit will continue to be determined by security settings and values established for each customer.
What changes
Until now, Pix contactless had a specific restriction: each transaction carried out through the modality could not exceed R$500.
From October 1st:
the fixed ceiling of R$500 no longer exists;
the customer may request an increase or reduction in limits;
payments may exceed R$500, as long as they are within the account limits;
the bank must provide a management tool in the application;
Pix's general security rules remain valid.
Therefore, there will be no new single ceiling to replace the R$500. A customer will be able to make a transaction of R$600 or R$1,000 by approximation if their account limit allows it.
How to adjust
The limit change will be made through the financial institution's application. The tool should allow the customer to manage the amounts authorized for this type of operation.
The procedure may vary depending on the bank, but the logic will be:
access the institution's application;
locate Pix settings;
access the Pix limits or management area by approximation;
request an increase or reduction in the allowed amount;
follow the authentication steps required by the bank.
The removal of the specific ceiling of R$500, therefore, does not eliminate the protection mechanisms against suspicious movements.
How it works
Pix by contact uses NFC technology, which allows communication between the cell phone and the payment machine without the need to enter data.
Available since February 2025, the modality can be used directly through the bank's application or through compatible digital wallets.
To use the resource through a digital wallet, you must first link your bank account to the service.
To activate
open your cell phone’s digital wallet;
choose the option to link an account;
bank application will be activated;
authorize Pix linking via contact.
Once configured, payment follows a similar dynamic to that of a card registered on a cell phone.
To pay
inform the establishment that you will make the payment via Pix;
check the details and amount of the charge;
bring your cell phone closer to the machine;
perform the required authentication;
confirm payment.
Depending on your bank and digital wallet configuration, you may need to authenticate the transaction before completion.
Beware of scams
The possibility of making larger payments via approximation requires extra attention from the user. As the cell phone can complete the operation without having to open the banking app in certain situations, it is important to check the amount and billing details before authorizing the payment.
Among the main precautions are:
check the value displayed on the machine and on your cell phone;
check the establishment before approaching the device;
keep screen lock and authentication mechanisms active;
do not hand over your unlocked cell phone to third parties;
monitor transaction notifications;
Periodically review the limits configured in the bank's application.
Expanding modality
Created by the Central Bank in 2020, Pix has established itself as one of the main payment methods used in the country. In August, the system handled more than R$3.73 trillion and recorded around 8.11 billion transactions.
Pix by approach, however, is still in its infancy to gain user interest. In August, the modality registered just 2 million transactions, just 0.06% of total operations in the month.
Despite low adoption, the volume of Pix contactless transactions is growing significantly. In January, the total number of operations in this modality totaled 1.06 million.
