To start using your physical 212 Card, you'll need to activate it with a one-time chip & PIN transaction.
Why was my contactless payment declined?
If this is the first time you're using your physical 212 Card, a contactless (tap-to-pay) payment or ATM withdrawal may be declined. This usually means the card hasn't been activated yet.
How do I activate my card?
Insert your card into a chip-and-PIN terminal and enter your PIN for your first transaction — or make a chip & PIN withdrawal at an ATM. Once this transaction is successful, you can use contactless for all future payments, subject to applicable card limits.
❗️ Important
This is different from the periodic re-authentication required under contactless spending limits — see Why are my contactless payments limited? for more on that.
What if my card is still declined after a chip & PIN transaction?
If you've completed a successful chip & PIN transaction and your card is still being declined, check that you have sufficient available balance in your spending pot. If the issue persists, contact us here.