Visitors and locals alike occasionally end up with a yellow slip under the wiper. Norway’s parking system is organized, but it can feel confusing if you don’t know the differences between public and private parking tickets, where to find the payment details, and how appeals work. I’ve lived in Norway all my life and have helped plenty of guests and friends sort these out. Paying on time is simple if you know what to look for.
If you just need the short version: find the issuer name, invoice number and KID reference on the ticket, then pay online by card through the issuer’s portal or by bank transfer. Always include the KID/reference so your payment is matched correctly. If you believe the ticket is wrong, you can submit a written appeal to the issuer, usually within a set deadline printed on the slip.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of parking tickets in Norway so you can sort yours quickly and avoid extra fees.
Understand Which Ticket You Have
In Norway you’ll run into two main types of tickets:
- Public authority tickets: Issued by municipalities or the police for things like stopping where it’s prohibited or ignoring time limits on public streets. These are often called “parkeringsgebyr.”
- Private operator tickets: Issued by companies that manage private lots and garages, such as shopping centers and residential complexes. These are often called “kontrollsanksjon.”
Why it matters: the payment destination, appeal process, and late-fee rules can differ. The slip will clearly show the issuer’s name and logo, the ticket number, the amount, the due date, and the KID or similar reference. Keep the slip safe. A quick phone photo helps too.
Where to Find the Payment Details on the Ticket
Most tickets include the same core details:
- Issuer name and address: Municipality or a private company.
- Invoice or ticket number: Used to identify your case.
- KID reference: A structured reference used by Norwegian banks to match your payment.
- Amount and due date: Pay attention to the deadline.
- Payment options: Web portal link or QR code, bank account number, and for foreign payments, IBAN and BIC.
Important: The KID is not optional. Always enter the KID exactly as written if you pay by bank transfer. If you mistype it or leave it out, your payment might not be registered and late fees can stack up.
The Easiest Ways to Pay
You have a few straightforward options. Choose the one that fits your situation.
Pay Online by Card
Most private parking companies and many municipalities offer an online portal. You enter your ticket number and KID, then pay by card. This is the simplest route for tourists without a Norwegian bank account. Many portals also accept Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Pay With Vipps
If you have a Norwegian phone number and bank account, the issuer may offer Vipps. You’ll either scan a QR code on the ticket or search for the company in the Vipps app. Again, include the KID if prompted.
Pay by Norwegian Bank Transfer
From your Norwegian online bank, transfer the amount to the issuer’s account. Paste the KID into the KID field, not the message field. If the bank asks for an invoice number separately, follow the instructions as shown on the ticket. Payments between Norwegian banks usually register quickly.
Pay From Abroad With IBAN/BIC
If you have already left Norway, use the IBAN and BIC listed on the ticket. Make sure you transfer the exact amount in NOK, and be aware that your bank might charge an international transfer fee. Add the KID in the reference field as instructed. If your bank does not support a dedicated KID field, put the KID in the payment message exactly as shown.
What Happens If You Miss the Due Date
Norwegian issuers are efficient. If you miss the deadline, a late fee or increased rate can kick in, and the claim may be sent to a collection agency. That can add significant costs. If you know you cannot pay on time, contact the issuer immediately and ask about your options. Some are open to short extensions if you reach out early.
Do not ignore a ticket. Unpaid claims can follow you and, for residents, may affect your credit. Visitors with rental cars can find the charges routed through the rental company, often with an additional administrative fee.
How to Appeal a Ticket You Think Is Wrong
You have the right to appeal, but it must be done in writing and within the deadline printed on the ticket or on the issuer’s website.
What to include:
- The ticket number and your contact info.
- A short, factual explanation of why you believe the ticket is incorrect.
- Evidence such as photos, a valid parking receipt, or a screen capture from your parking app showing the active session and number plate.
- If signage was unclear or obstructed, say where and include photos taken at eye level.
While your appeal is being processed, the due date usually still applies unless the issuer confirms otherwise. Many companies pause the case while they review, but not all. Check their rules before assuming. If the appeal is accepted, any payment you made is typically refunded.
Special Cases for Rental Cars
If you were driving a rental car, a few extra points:
- The ticket can be issued days later if it was ANPR-based in a garage or barrier lot tied to your license plate. If it goes to the rental company first, they may charge your card with an administrative fee on top.
- If you spot a ticket on the windshield during your trip, pay it yourself promptly using the details on the slip. That is the cleanest and cheapest outcome.
- Keep all receipts and confirmations until a few billing cycles have passed. If a duplicate charge shows up via the rental company, you’ll have proof you already paid.
Tourists Without a Norwegian Bank Account
You’re fine. Use the issuer’s card payment portal or pay by international bank transfer with IBAN/BIC. If you struggle to find the portal, search for the company name exactly as printed on the ticket, plus “pay ticket.” Failing that, email the issuer’s customer service with your ticket number and ask for a direct payment link.
If You Lost the Ticket
It happens. Do one of the following:
- Check your parking app history if you were in a managed facility. Sometimes the issuer info appears there.
- Look at any email or SMS you received, especially if the facility uses automatic plate recognition and sends invoices later.
- Contact the parking company or municipality that manages the location where you parked. Give them your vehicle registration number and the approximate date and time. They can look up the case and resend details.
- If it was a rental, contact the rental company. They often receive copies.
Once you have the ticket number and KID, you can pay normally.
Common Mistakes That Create Bigger Problems
A few pitfalls I see again and again:
- Paying the right amount to the wrong account. Double check the issuer name on your slip matches the account you see online.
- Entering the license plate or invoice number in the KID field. They are not the same thing.
- Assuming all Norwegian parking works the same. Private and public rules differ.
- Forgetting that signage in Norway is binding, including private lots. If a sign says register your plate in the kiosk even when parking is free, do it.
- Starting a parking app session for the wrong license plate. If you have multiple plates stored, confirm the right one before you lock and walk.
Practical Tips From Daily Life Here
- I always snap a photo of the ticket and the nearest sign before I leave the car. If there’s an appeal later, that photo is gold.
- If you pay by bank transfer, copy and paste the KID from the issuer’s portal rather than typing it. Fewer errors, faster matching.
- Keep a PDF of the payment confirmation in your email or cloud. If something bounces to collections by mistake, you can resolve it in one message.
- If the area is managed by a big operator, consider downloading their parking app anyway. It helps prevent mix-ups on your next visit and sometimes shows open cases linked to your plate.
When Towing or Booting Comes Up
Booting is rare in Norway. Towing can happen in cases like blocking emergency access, loading zones, or driveways. If your car is missing, check the signage for the towing company number or call the municipality’s parking office. You will need to pay the towing fee and any ticket before the car is released.
If You Receive a Ticket by Post Weeks Later
Many garages and barrier-free facilities use automatic number plate recognition. If you didn’t pay at exit or link your plate to a payment method, they may send an invoice later to the vehicle’s registered owner. The same payment principles apply: use the KID, pay by card on their portal or IBAN from abroad, and watch the deadline.
Final Word on Staying Out of Trouble
Norway is generous with clear signage, but it expects you to read it. Take ten seconds to confirm the rules, register your plate where required, and set a timer on your phone if there’s a time limit. If you do get a ticket, pay it within the stated deadline or appeal promptly with evidence. That’s the cleanest path, whether you are here for a weekend or you live around the corner.