active payment method to install apps on Apple Watch?

I had some issues with Strava this morning. The app was available as a usual but was not updating distance on my watch.

when I looked at watch apps I noticed that it was no longer in the installed list.

After some research, repairing and resting my watch I noticed my payment card was out of date.

My question is - is an active payment method required to install free apps? Strava is available as both a free limited functionality and subscription model and my subscription was active. It used to be you could install apps without an active payment system…