The card does not have to be handed to the shop assistant or placed in a terminal. All that is needed is to bring the card within 5 centimetres from a special card reader which is possible due to the aerial installed in the card which makes contact with a terminal. The system is to be used when paying small amounts since the rapidity of the transaction is what is important. It will be used mainly in urban transport, kiosks and fast-food bars.

Małgorzata O’Shaughnessy Visa Europe managing director in Poland stated at a press conference: “The programme promotes a convenient, cashless manner of making small payments”. She added that the company is presently in advanced negotiations with other Polish banks on including payWave cards in their offers.