Is it better to use cash or card in Norway

Are you planning a trip to Norway soon? If so, you’re likely busy creating your itinerary and working out your travel budget. Regardless of your spending plans, it’s important to be aware of how financial habits in Norway differ from those in the UK. Being aware of these differences can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Norwegians heavily rely on cards and contactless forms of payment in general. However, although cash is rarely used, it might be essential in some situations. Since it can be tricky to decide what you should rely on during your trip, we’re here to help. We’ll dive into the details to answer the question - Is it better to use cash or card in Norway?

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your spending in Norway. For any international purchases, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise card. You can even withdraw cash and spend like a local for low fees* at the mid-market exchange rate.

How cash-centric is Norway?¹

Debit cards are the most popular payment option in Norway and it has been like this for a while. However, digital wallets are becoming more popular and predictions show that they will be used for around a quarter of all payments in a few years. On average, around 70% of POS payments in Norway are made with cards, while cash is only used for around 4% of them.

It’s expected that the use of cash will drop to only 3% by 2027, but cards will still make up around 60% of payments.

Cash etiquette in Norway²

Tipping isn’t mandatory or common in Norway. However, locals tend to leave a tip in bars or restaurants when they’re happy with the service.

There’s no set amount for tipping, since just showing appreciation is key. Still, people usually leave between 5% and 15% of the bill as a tip for their servers, but this is simply a general guideline.

If you’re paying in cash, you could also leave the leftover change to your waiter. This is a nice way of letting them know you’re satisfied with the overall experience. Again, tipping is entirely up to you.

Cash or card in Norway - the comparison

We’ve listed some situations where you’ll be paying for things in Norway. Here’s whether you’ll be able to pay by card, in cash or both:

Paying for…	Card 💳	Cash 👛
🚕 Taxis3	Yes	Yes
🏪 Convenience stores	Usually, yes	Yes
🚌 Public transport4	Only at kiosks or via transport apps	Yes
🍽️ Restaurants	Yes	Usually yes, but check ahead of time
🛳️ Fjord cruises5	Yes	Yes

Using your card in Norway at an ATM

ATMs in Norway are also called minibanks, so make sure you write that down in your list of useful terms. They’re run by over 100 banks in total, both local and foreign.⁶ Minibanks can be easily located both in big cities and smaller towns. You’ll be able to find them in shopping malls, main streets, town squares and, of course, banks.

When it comes to the withdrawal limit at Norwegian ATMs, you can expect it to be 10,000 NOK at a time. Make sure you check with the bank operating the ATM you're using. With indoor cash machines, the limit is twice as high and it’s 20,000 NOK.⁷

Check out the latest GBP to NOK conversion rates below:

Will my UK debit card work in Norway?

Yes, you can use your UK debit card in Norway like you would at home. However, keep in mind that additional fees will apply for using your card abroad.

Can I use my UK credit card in Norway?

You can use your UK-issued credit card at most places in Norway. The exceptions are post offices and some supermarkets, so feel free to ask in advance whether they accept foreign credit cards.²

Reasons to use cash in Norway

Although cash isn’t used frequently in Norway, it could come in handy in some situations. For example, you might want to leave a cash tip for your server or hotel staff or make a small purchase.

Also, if you’re buying a bus or ferry ticket on board or don’t have the relevant public transport app or contactless card, you must pay in cash.

In case you plan on going to remote, rural parts of Norway, you might encounter places that accept cash only. If you’ll be visiting areas that don’t usually attract lots of tourists, consider having some Norwegian kroner on you.

Reasons to use credit or debit cards in Norway

Cards are the number one payment method in Norway, and this has been the case for quite some time. They’ve fully embraced cashless payments, making card usage very prevalent in everyday transactions. You could probably fully rely on cards during your visit, especially if you plan on sticking to touristy areas.

Another reason to use cards during your trip to Norway is convenience. You won’t have to exchange currency or carry large amounts of cash with you. Also, if you use your card to pay, you won’t have to deal with bringing spare Norwegian kroner back home.

Are contactless card payments common in Norway?⁸

Yes, contactless payments are very common and widely accepted in Norway. You could tap to pay in supermarkets, taxis, public transport and many other places. The contactless limit in Norway is 500 NOK, after which you’ll be asked to enter your PIN.⁹

Your Wise card can also be used for contactless payments in Norway. If you don’t want to carry cards with you, you can get the Wise virtual card with the same features.

Other payment methods in Norway

Besides traditional credit and debit cards, other payment methods are also available in Norway.

Mobile payment¹⁰

Besides using cards for almost everything, Norwegians have also embraced digital and e-wallets. Some popular digital wallets and payment apps such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet and PayPal are also used here.

Tip: If you plan on using any of these wallet apps during your trip, make sure you update them before you leave to avoid any issues.

However, local options exist too, such as the popular Vipps app. Vipps lets users pay using a phone number or by scanning a QR code. It can be used online, in-stores, or for transferring money to your peers.

For an additional layer of security, you could add your Wise virtual card to your wallet. It has all the benefits of a regular Wise card, but it exists in your phone only. You can freeze your Wise virtual card after every transaction, too.

Buy now pay later options (BNPL)¹⁰

One of the most popular BNPL services in Norway is the Swedish company Klarna. Klarna allows you to split your large purchases into multiple smaller payments, with the first paid upfront.

What is the best way to pay in Norway: cash or card?

If you’re still wondering - cash or card in Norway? - the final answer is definitely cards. Norway is almost fully cashless, with only 4% of all payments being made in cash. That number is expected to drop even further in the years to come, so relying on cards is the most convenient option.

However, you could withdraw or bring some Norwegian kroner with you just in case. Cash might come in handy for tips and smaller purchases, but cards should still be your primary option.

Spend like a local in Norway with the Wise card

Want to spend like a local in Norway without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees? The Wise card might be just the option you were looking for.

You can use your Wise card for international payments, from your accommodation costs to daily expenses. It automatically converts your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*.

You can also use it to easily withdraw cash from the ATMs in Norway. Each month, you can make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 GBP for free. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s also a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP. Keep in mind, however, that additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Spend like a local with Wise 💳

Cash or card in Norway - FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent questions about using cash or cards in Norway:

How cashless is Norway?

Norway is almost fully cashless, with less than 5% of POS payments made in cash on average.

What is the most popular payment method in Norway?

Norwegians mainly use their debit cards for payments.

Can I use my UK debit card in Norway?

Yes, you can use your UK-issued debit card in Norway.

Are euros widely accepted in Norway?

Euros and other foreign currencies are rarely accepted in Norway, so it’s best to stick to Norwegian kroner.

How much money do you need in Norway per day?

That largely depends on your spending habits and travel style. However, you can always withdraw more money if you end up needing it.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Norway?

There’s no need to exchange money ahead of your trip. You could also rely on your Wise card and have it automatically convert money for you.

Sources used:

1. Statista - biggest POS payment methods in Norway
2. Visit Norway - tipping in Norway
3. Siddis Taxi - paying by card in Norwegian taxis
4. Ruter - public transport tickets in Norway
5. Rodne - Fjord tours
6. Internations - number of banks in Norway
7. DNB - Norwegian ATM withdrawal limit
8. Norway Insight - contactless payments in Norway
9. DNB - contactless payments
10. Pay.com - top payment methods in Norway

Sources last checked on date: 30-Oct-2024