A method for activation of a payment card includes accessing a remote computer server of a card issuer to input card activation information, storing a unique code in the payment card having a contactless readable interface and in the remote computer server, the unique code corresponding to the payment card, and reading the unique code by a user terminal having a corresponding contactless interface. The method includes sending the unique code from the user terminal to the remote computer server, and upon verification of the unique code at the remote computer server, generating and sending an activation code to the user terminal and supplying access to an activation code input mask corresponding to the payment card. The method includes that upon submission of the activation code through the activation code input mask, comparing the submitted activation code with the generated activation code and, when matching, activating the payment card.