If you’re headed to Norway and wondering how to get cash, the short version is: you’ll find ATMs when you need them, but you’ll probably use your card most of the time. Norway is one of the most cash-light countries in the world, so the trick isn’t finding money—it’s knowing when cash still helps and how to avoid unnecessary fees. I’m Norwegian, and I’ve watched our payment habits shift from bills and coins to cards and phone apps over the years. Here’s how it works now, in plain English.
Quick answer: ATMs (called Minibank in Norwegian) are easy to find at airports, train stations, shopping streets, and larger supermarkets. They accept most Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. Choose to be charged in Norwegian kroner (NOK), not in your home currency to avoid poor conversion rates, and watch for independent ATMs with extra fees. You’ll rarely need cash, but it’s worth carrying a little for rural honesty boxes, some public toilets, and occasional small vendors.
Let’s take a deeper dive into ATMs in Norway and how to handle money comfortably once you arrive.
Where to Find ATMs (Minibank) in Norway
Look for the word Minibank, which is our standard term for ATM. You’ll see ATMs at:
- Major airports like Oslo (Gardermoen), Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim, typically in the arrivals hall and near train connections.
- Central train and bus stations.
- Busy shopping streets and malls in cities and larger towns.
- Inside or just outside big supermarkets and shopping centers.
In very small towns and in national park areas, ATMs can be limited or nonexistent. Plan withdrawals in regional hubs before heading into fjords, mountain valleys, or the northern countryside. Long road trips can take you through stretches without services, especially in winter.
Cards, Networks, and What Works at Norwegian ATMs
Norwegian ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard widely. American Express and Discover acceptance is mixed; if you rely on those, bring a Visa/Mastercard backup. Cards should have chip and PIN. Contactless is common for purchases, but you’ll use chip-and-PIN at ATMs.
Most machines offer an English interface, and you can choose receipt or no receipt. Accessibility is generally good in modern locations, though older machines may sit in small vestibules that follow shop opening hours.
Fees and Exchange Rates: How to Avoid Paying Extra
Three costs can hit you when withdrawing cash abroad: your bank’s fees, the ATM owner’s fees, and currency conversion.
- Your home bank’s fees: Check your bank’s foreign ATM fee and whether they add a percentage on top of the exchange rate. Some travel-friendly banks reimburse ATM fees; others charge per withdrawal.
- ATM owner’s fee: Most bank-run ATMs in Norway don’t add a local surcharge, but independent ATMs sometimes do. If a screen warns of a fee, cancel and try a different machine nearby.
- Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): This is the big one. Some ATMs and shop terminals offer to charge you in your home currency “for convenience.” Always decline. Choose to be charged in NOK for a fairer rate. The home-currency option nearly always costs more.
A simple rule of thumb: Use ATMs attached to well-known banks (DNB, Nordea, SpareBank 1, Handelsbanken, etc.), and if the display tries to convert to your home currency, select NOK.
Withdrawal Limits, Denominations, and Practicalities
Withdrawal limits vary by machine and by your card issuer. Many Norwegian ATMs allow several thousand NOK per transaction; your card’s daily limit is often the controlling factor. If you need a larger amount, make multiple withdrawals or ask your bank to raise your limit before travel.
ATMs typically dispense 200-krone and 500-krone notes. Smaller notes are less common out of machines. If you want change, break a larger note with a purchase at a grocery store or kiosk. Coins are 1, 5, 10, and 20 kroner, but you won’t get coins from an ATM.
Most ATMs are accessible 24/7, but those inside bank branches or small malls may follow building hours. Airport machines are reliable at all hours.
Do You Actually Need Cash in Norway?
Not much. Norway is heavily card-first, and you can pay by card almost everywhere: grocery stores, restaurants, attractions, ride-shares, taxis, city transport ticket machines, and even food trucks in bigger cities. Tap-to-pay is normal.
Where cash still helps:
- Rural honesty boxes for parking, small farmstands, or local firewood bundles. Some only show a Vipps number (our popular mobile payment app), which typically requires a Norwegian number and bank account, so you may be shut out without a little cash.
- Public toilets in some remote areas if the card terminal is offline.
- Small local events or older market stalls without a working card reader.
If you’re sticking to cities and main tourist routes, you could go days without needing cash. For extended countryside trips, 1,000–2,000 NOK split into a couple of 200s and a 500 is a comfortable cushion.
Independent ATMs vs Bank ATMs
You’ll occasionally see independent ATMs in touristy spots. They’re legal, but they can:
- Add an operator fee.
- Push dynamic currency conversion aggressively.
- Show suggested withdrawal amounts that are higher than you need.
When you can, choose bank-branded machines, read screens carefully, and always confirm you’re being charged in NOK.
Paying in Shops and Restaurants: Card Settings That Help
To make life easy:
- Enable international and online transactions on your cards before you fly. Some banks let you toggle “regions” in-app; make sure Europe is on.
- Know your PIN. We use PINs widely for chip transactions.
- Decline DCC at card terminals too, not just at ATMs. If a waiter asks “USD or NOK?”, say NOK.
- Have a backup card in a separate place. If a machine swallows one (rare, but it happens), you’re not stranded.
Tipping customs: service charges aren’t mandatory. If you want to tip for good service, 5–10 percent by card is fine; machines often let you add a tip before entering your PIN. Cash tips are always accepted, just not expected.
Airport Arrivals: Should You Withdraw Right Away?
If you like having cash from the start, grab a small amount at the airport. Otherwise, you can ride the airport train or express bus on card, check into your hotel, and use a city-center ATM later. Airport machines are convenient; just check the screens for any operator fee and stick to NOK.
Safety and Skimming Concerns
Norway has low levels of skimming and card fraud at ATMs, and you’ll notice most machines are sturdy, well-lit, and in visible places. Still, use common sense:
- Shield your PIN.
- If a reader looks tampered with, choose another machine.
- Keep your bank’s fraud hotline handy in case your card is lost or blocked.
What About Vipps and Mobile Wallets?
You’ll see Vipps everywhere in Norway. It’s our go-to app for splitting bills, paying small vendors, and even school fundraisers. For visitors, it’s usually not practical because it requires Norwegian bank setup. Apple Pay and Google Pay often work for in-store purchases if your card issuer supports them in Norway, but for ATMs you’ll still rely on your physical card.
Cash Exchange vs ATMs
If you’re considering currency exchange desks, compare carefully. ATMs paired with your bank’s fair FX policy typically beat exchange counters, especially if those counters publish wide buy/sell spreads or charge fixed fees. Your exceptions are rare promos or if your bank piles on foreign ATM fees. Even then, withdrawing once and paying by card the rest of the trip usually minimizes costs.
Troubleshooting: Card Doesn’t Work? Try This.
If a machine declines your card:
- Try a second ATM, ideally from a major bank and during business hours.
- Use a different card (debit or credit). Some US debit cards are picky abroad.
- Lower the withdrawal amount in case of per-transaction limits.
- Check your bank app for a travel lock, region setting, or fraud warning you can clear.
If nothing works and you need cash promptly, speak with your hotel reception; they know the nearest reliable bank ATM, and in a pinch they can point you to services like money transfer pickups.
How Much Cash Should You Carry in Norway?
City travelers: 0–500 NOK is plenty for a few days. You’ll pay by card 99 percent of the time.
Road trippers and hikers: 1,000–2,000 NOK covers rural odds and ends, parking boxes, and small purchases when terminals are down. Refill in larger towns as needed.
Winter adds a small twist. Remote card terminals can hiccup during storms. Carrying a bit of extra cash on winter drives is sensible.
Final Local Tips to Keep It Simple
- Use bank-branded ATMs when possible.
- Always choose NOK, never your home currency, at ATMs and shops.
- Keep one backup card separate from your wallet.
- Withdraw in cities before heading deep into the fjords, mountains, or the far north.
- Don’t stress about cash. Norway is built for cards; cash is a backup, not a daily driver.
With these basics, ATMs in Norway become a quick pit stop rather than a travel headache. Take what you need, keep fees at bay, and enjoy the view instead of the receipt.