If you spend any time in Norway, you’ll notice Norwegians paying for everything with their phones. That orange logo is Vipps, our go-to app for splitting dinner, buying a waffle at a flea market, or sending money to a friend in seconds. As a foreigner, you can absolutely join the party, but there are a few practical hoops to jump through first.
Short answer: to get Vipps you generally need a Norwegian phone number, a Norwegian bank account, and BankID tied to your Norwegian identity (either a D-number or a national ID number). Tourists without those things usually won’t be able to use Vipps. If you’re moving here for work or studies, it’s very doable once your basics are set up. Let’s take a deeper dive into how it works, what to expect, and how to avoid the usual snags.
What Vipps Is and Why Norwegians Use It
Vipps is Norway’s most popular mobile payment app for peer-to-peer transfers, paying small merchants, settling bills, and making donations. You’ll find “Vipps” signs at farmers’ markets, sports clubs, school kiosks, second-hand stalls, and plenty of independent shops. It’s fast, it’s trusted, and it keeps social payments painless. If you plan to stay more than a couple of months, getting Vipps will make life smoother, especially for everyday social transactions.
The Three Essentials: Number, Bank, BankID
To use Vipps like a local, you’ll need three things lined up:
1) A Norwegian mobile number (+47).
Vipps verifies your account via SMS and ties your profile to a Norwegian SIM. You can use a physical SIM or eSIM from the big providers (Telenor, Telia, Ice). Prepaid is fine. Just make sure the number is active and registered to you.
2) A Norwegian bank account.
Vipps connects to your Norwegian bank account or card so you can send and receive NOK easily. Most banks can link seamlessly with Vipps once your account is active.
3) BankID.
This is the digital ID Norwegians use for secure logins and signatures. Vipps relies on BankID when you set up and for certain actions in the app. To get BankID, you must have a Norwegian identity number: either a D-number (for people who are temporarily in Norway) or a fødselsnummer (full national ID for residents). Banks issue BankID after they’ve verified your identity and completed their checks.
Bottom line: No BankID, no full Vipps. If you’re brand new in Norway, the critical path is getting your identity number and bank account set up, then BankID, then Vipps.
Step-by-Step: From Fresh Arrival to Vipps-Ready
Here’s the usual order that works best:
Step 1: Get your identity number (D-number or fødselsnummer).
If you’re here for work, study, or a long stay, you’ll be registered with Norwegian authorities. Depending on your situation, you’ll either be assigned a D-number (temporary) or a national ID number. Your employer, school, or bank can guide you on the application you need. Keep your passport and documentation handy; Norwegians love paperwork that matches exactly.
Step 2: Open a Norwegian bank account.
Once you have your identity number, choose a bank and apply for an account. Expect identity checks and a bit of back-and-forth if names or addresses don’t align perfectly. Plan for a little waiting time, especially in late summer when the student rush hits. When the account is open, you’ll often receive a debit card and online banking access.
Step 3: Obtain BankID from your bank.
Some banks issue BankID quickly; others may take longer while they complete compliance checks. These days you’ll typically use the BankID app, which you activate after initial onboarding with the bank. Remember: the data in your application must match your official records precisely, including middle names and spelling.
Step 4: Get a Norwegian phone number.
Pick a plan or prepaid option from Telenor, Telia, or Ice, or from a smaller operator that suits your usage. Make sure the subscription is in your name. If you prefer, you can set up an eSIM to avoid swapping physical cards.
Step 5: Download Vipps and register.
Install Vipps from your app store, enter your Norwegian number, confirm the SMS code, and follow the prompts. You’ll authenticate with BankID, add your Norwegian bank card or account, and then you’re live. From there, you can send and request money just by using other people’s phone numbers.
What If You’re a Tourist or on a Short Visit?
If you’re here for a week or two, you likely won’t be able to use Vipps. Without a Norwegian identity number, bank account, and BankID, the app won’t activate in the standard way. Don’t worry; Norway is extremely card-friendly. You can tap to pay with Visa, Mastercard, Amex in many places, and services like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. For the few small stalls that only take Vipps, it’s smart to carry a little cash or ask if they accept card readers via mobile terminals. Many do.
Exchange Students, Au Pairs, and New Hires
If you’re staying for a semester or longer, or you’re coming to work:
- Coordinate early with your host institution or employer. They can confirm the steps to get your D-number and help you open a bank account promptly.
- Budget time for BankID. Even when everything is correct, BankID isn’t instant everywhere.
- Use a prepaid SIM first if needed. You can switch to a better plan once all your documentation settles.
Once you’ve got BankID, Vipps setup usually takes just a few minutes in the app.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Name mismatches. If your passport, residence documents, and bank records don’t match letter-for-letter, systems can hiccup. Use your full legal name, including middle names, across every form.
Address issues. Norway is particular about addresses. Use your official registered address where possible, and keep it consistent.
Number changes mid-process. Switching phone numbers during setup can break verification. Stabilize your Norwegian number before you begin your BankID and Vipps onboarding.
Assuming international numbers will work. Vipps expects a Norwegian mobile number for identification. Keep your +47 SIM active.
Expecting instant BankID. Some banks are lightning fast; others are careful and take longer. It’s normal.
Fees, Limits, and Everyday Use
Vipps is typically free for standard person-to-person transfers, and moving small sums between friends won’t cost you. There may be limits for how much you can send before additional verification is required; those are there for security and compliance. When paying businesses, some may pass on small fees, but most everyday users barely notice costs.
For daily life:
- You can split bills at restaurants or on cabin trips in seconds.
- Many small community groups or clubs prefer Vipps for member fees.
- Second-hand purchases at flea markets or Finn.no meetups often settle with Vipps on the spot.
Safety and Privacy Tips from a Local
Norwegians are comfortable with Vipps because BankID provides strong authentication and the app is straightforward about confirmations and amounts. Still, the usual common sense applies:
- Double-check recipient names before sending.
- Be cautious with payments to strangers; meet in person when possible.
- Turn on notifications so you see transactions immediately.
- Keep your BankID app protected and never share codes with anyone.
- If your phone is lost, contact your bank promptly to secure your access.
Alternatives if Vipps Isn’t an Option Yet
While you wait for BankID or if you’re only here short-term, rely on contactless card payments everywhere you can. Apple Pay and Google Pay work in most shops and cafes, trains and buses accept cards, and even mountain kiosks often have mobile terminals. For splitting bills with Norwegian friends, you can transfer in cash once and let them handle the group payments via Vipps, or use a shared expense tracker and settle by card or bank transfer.
Personal Tips from Years of Helping Newcomers
- Start the paperwork early. If you’re moving here in August, begin bank and ID steps as soon as you land. That month is peak traffic at banks and government offices.
- Keep a small cash cushion for the odd place that only posts a Vipps number. It’s rare, but it happens at tiny stalls.
- Use your full legal name on every application. Where your home country allows flexible name usage, Norway does not.
- Stick to one phone number from the start. If you must change, finish critical setups first.
- Lean on your employer or school’s guidance. They know the local banks that onboard internationals smoothly.
Getting Vipps as a foreigner in Norway is mostly about sequencing: identity number, bank account, BankID, Norwegian phone number, then Vipps. Once you’ve checked those boxes, you’ll be paying like a local, splitting that Friday taco bill with a thumbpress, and sending your share for the cabin rental before you’ve even taken off your hiking boots.