Are you planning a trip to Norway and are worried about using credit cards there? It is possible, you just need to know some simple tricks. It is much like using cards in the United States, but there are some differences.
You can get information about using credit cards in Norway from many places. You can check kredittkortinfo.no to get information. They have been around a long time and can help you to figure things out.
This article will help you to learn some of these facts, as well. It will help you to learn how to use a credit card in Norway. You can also learn more by doing some research on the subject.
Using Credit Cards in Norway
Most shops in Norway must accept cash as payment by law, but most prefer credit or debit cards. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are the most easily accepted because they are universal brands. These cards are accepted in most shops across Norway. It is also common for Norwegians to use contactless pay or microchip pay. Magnetic strips in the cards are not used that often.
American Express cards are accepted at some shops, but not all. Discover cards aren’t accepted in most shops in Norway. If you want to make sure that your card is accepted, use a Visa card with a chip and a four-digit pin code.
You could withdraw cash once you get to Norway because it can come in handy in some situations. Sometimes your credit card just won’t work for some reason so it would be best to have some cash in this instance. You will also need cash for parking in most places, although you can get an app and pay this way.
If you have a Norwegian credit card, these are very reliable, but not many foreigners will have them. Foreign credit cards are not as reliable and that is the reason that it is recommended that you have some cash available. Cash is also the best way to buy things if you want something small and don’t have a lot of time.
Using ATMs in Norway
Most large cities have many ATMs around so that you can withdraw cash when needed. Smaller towns and cities usually have at least one ATM for this purpose. You can also withdraw cash at the airport ATMs.
If you do have trouble finding an ATM, you could always try looking for a bank. Most of the banks have ATMs or you could withdraw money from them directly. All ATMs have the option of using English to make transactions, and most have options for other languages.
Mobile Payments
These types of payments are beginning to get more and more popular in Norway. The best way to make mobile payments is through an app called Vipps. This is the app that Norwegians are beginning to use to pay in some stores. They also use this to pay when they are buying and selling to other people.
If the shop uses Vipps, it will be posted that they do so. It is an easy way to make payments because the money comes directly from your account, similar to a bank card. Unfortunately, you must have a Norwegian bank account, so this doesn’t work for most tourists.
BankAxept
BankAxept is a Norwegian banking system that can allow you to use any credit or debit card anywhere in Norway. This is a system that allows all banks to speak to one another for withdrawals or payments anywhere in Norway. It doesn’t matter which bank you use because all terminals speak to each other. This is a Norwegian system, so it won’t be useful to most tourists, but it is useful for Norwegians.
Norwegians Mostly Use Debit Cards
Although many countries use credit cards as the standard way to pay, Norway isn’t one of those countries. They use debit cards more than credit cards to pay for things. This gives them the chance to pay directly from their bank account. This way they know how they are spending and what they have left to spend. You can still use credit cards as a tourist, it’s just not the norm for Norwegians.
Paying with Foreign Money
Most people assume that you can pay for items with the euro while in Norway, but this is not the case. You can’t use the USD or the euro, you can only use the Norwegian currency. The Norwegian currency is the krone, and it is the only thing that is accepted.
Getting a Credit Card in Norway
If you are planning on moving to Norway, you will be able to apply for a credit card once you get settled. It is an easy process to get started and you will have your new credit card before you know it. You will need to meet some minimum requirements.
You should live in Norway for at least a year before you apply for a credit card. This way, you will have established residency and you will be more likely to receive the card. It is helpful if you are employed full-time and have paid all your bills on time.
Using Your Credit Card in Norway
Before you go to Norway, call your bank and let them know your intentions. If you fail to do this, your credit card may be denied at many places. Your bank may think that your card has been stolen and won’t let it be used.
You might be charged foreign transaction fees, so make sure that you ask about that while you are speaking to your bank. You want to make sure of what to expect when you are using your credit card in Norway. This way you won’t be surprised at the extra fees that may appear on your bill.
Your ATM card must have a four-digit pin number, or you will not be able to use it. There are some European countries that will allow five-digit numbers, but that is not the norm. To make sure that you will be able to use your credit card, make sure that you have a four-digit pin number.
You can withdraw cash from any ATM that has the Visa or Mastercard sign, as long as you have one of these cards. Most Norwegian ATMs show these symbols, so you should be able to get cash at most of them. They usually don’t allow you to use them with other cash network symbols.
You should see if you could increase your daily maximum withdrawal amounts with your bank. Explain to them that you will be out of the country and that you want to make sure that you aren’t racking up foreign transaction fees. Most banks will gladly raise your limits so that you can save on these fees.
Save Money While in Norway: Smart Money Tips for Currency Exchange and ATM Withdrawals
While you are in Norway, try to withdraw your cash only from the bank ATMs. These ATMs will save you money on withdrawal fees. Most ATMs at the local shops will have higher withdrawal fees for withdrawing cash.
When you make a purchase with your credit card, don’t change the currency to your home country, even if asked. You want to make sure that you use the Norwegian currency to save some money. There are more fees that are attached if you change it to your home currency.
When you ask the merchant to change the currency to your home country, they send the transaction to another provider that is not your bank. They will do the conversion for you, but they will charge you larger fees than your own bank would charge. These providers can set their own fees and you will still be charged foreign transaction fees on top of those fees.
You need to be careful when you are using foreign ATMs because the question of changing your currency to your home country also appears on them. They can be confusing because some machines make it look like the only option that you have is to say yes to this question. There is an option for no, you just need to look carefully for it.
It used to be easy to choose a good card to travel to Norway with. It used to be that you would choose a card that didn’t have a foreign transaction fee because there weren’t many other perks. Nowadays, there are many cards with travel perks that you can choose from today.
Conclusion
There are many things that you need to learn about using credit cards in Norway. It can be a simple process if you have the right card. It can be as easy as using one in the United States.
You can also get a credit card if you move to Norway, but you must live there for at least a year. If you have been employed for a year and have paid off all your monthly bills, getting a credit card will be easy for you. It is a little different than getting a credit card in the United States.
