Vipps is Norway’s favorite way to send money to friends, pay in shops, and check out online with a few taps. If you are new to Norway, you will see orange Vipps signs everywhere from coffee bars to flea markets to football clubs. Getting set up can feel confusing at first, especially if you are still sorting out a phone number, bank account, and ID paperwork, but once you are in, daily life becomes easier.
If you are wondering whether you can use Vipps as a foreigner, the short answer is yes. You generally need a Norwegian mobile number, a Norwegian bank account, and BankID for verification. With those in place, you download the app, connect your bank, verify yourself, and you are ready to send or request money, pay with QR codes, and use “Vipps Checkout” online.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what you need, how to get it, and how to use Vipps with confidence in Norway.
What Vipps Is and Why It Matters
Vipps is a mobile payment app that connects to your Norwegian bank account or card. It lets you:
- Send and receive money using phone numbers.
- Pay in physical shops by scanning a QR code.
- Check out online without entering card details.
- Pay invoices and memberships, and donate to charities.
Norway is highly cashless. Many small vendors that might not accept international cards will happily take Vipps. Having the app means you can split a restaurant bill, pay for secondhand furniture, or grab waffles at a school fundraiser without scrambling for cash.
Can Foreigners Use Vipps
Yes, foreigners can use Vipps as long as they meet the standard requirements. Vipps is tied to the Norwegian banking and ID systems, so the main hurdle is not your nationality but whether you can obtain the essentials: a Norwegian phone number, a Norwegian bank account, and BankID.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you install Vipps, make sure you have the following in place:
Norwegian mobile number. Vipps sends codes to a Norwegian number that is registered to you. Prepaid or postpaid is fine, but the SIM must be in your name.
Norwegian bank account. You need an account with a Norwegian bank that supports Vipps. Most mainstream banks do. Bring your passport or national ID, residence permit if applicable, and documentation like an employment contract or study admission when you open an account.
BankID. This is Norway’s digital ID used for banking and many public services. BankID is the key to full Vipps functionality. Your bank issues BankID once your identity is verified. Most people use the BankID app.
Norwegian identification number. You will typically have either a fødselsnummer if you are officially resident, or a D-number if you are staying temporarily. Banks use this to issue BankID. If you do not have one, ask your bank and the tax office about the process to obtain a D-number.
How to Get the Prerequisites
1) Get a Norwegian phone number. Visit a mobile provider shop with your passport and proof of address if you have it. Register the SIM in your own name. Keep the number active while you set up banking and Vipps.
2) Open a Norwegian bank account. Book an appointment with a bank branch. Requirements can vary between banks, so check their list in advance. Be ready to show your passport or national ID, residence card if applicable, contract or admission letter, and your Norwegian address. Some banks allow you to start the application online, but you will likely need an in-person ID check.
3) Apply for BankID. Once your account is open, ask the bank to issue BankID. You might need a short video call or an in-branch identity check. When approved, download the BankID app and follow the activation steps. Without BankID your Vipps will be limited or not available at all.
4) Get your D-number if you do not have one. If you are not yet registered as resident, your bank can often initiate a D-number request as part of the account opening. Alternatively, the tax office can advise on the process. Processing can take some time, so start early.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Vipps
Once your phone number, bank account, and BankID are ready, setting up Vipps is straightforward.
- Download Vipps from your app store. Make sure you select the official Vipps app.
- Register your Norwegian mobile number. Enter the one-time code you receive by SMS.
- Enter your personal details exactly as they are with your bank and BankID. Name mismatches are a common cause of errors.
- Verify with BankID. Open the BankID app when prompted and complete the verification.
- Connect your bank. Vipps will detect your bank or ask you to choose it. Confirm the link and approve with BankID.
- Create your Vipps PIN and enable biometrics on your phone for quick access.
- Add a profile photo if you like. It helps friends confirm they found the right person.
- Test with a small transfer to a friend or request a small amount to make sure everything works.
Using Vipps Day to Day
Pay friends. Open Vipps, choose “Send,” select a contact by phone number, enter the amount, add a message, and approve. Money usually moves within seconds between Norwegian accounts.
Request money. Use “Request” to nudge friends for their part of a bill. They tap to approve and the funds arrive quickly. It is normal here to settle small amounts this way.
Pay in shops and at events. Look for the orange Vipps QR code. Scan, confirm the amount, and approve. Many kiosks and small sellers use Vipps because it is simple and fast.
Online checkout. Choose “Vipps” at checkout. The app will pop up for approval, or you approve through a push notification. It saves time and avoids typing card numbers.
Clubs, teams, and charities. Many organizations publish a Vipps number. Search in the app, verify the name, and pay or donate.
Limits, Fees, and Transfer Times
Peer-to-peer payments between private users are typically free and near instant when both parties use Norwegian accounts. Merchants pay a fee to accept Vipps. If you ever see a fee on your side, it is usually tied to special services or card top-ups and the app will show it before you approve.
Transfers are generally instantaneous, but a few things can slow them down. Brand new accounts may have temporary limits while your bank completes checks, and payments late at night or during maintenance windows can occasionally queue for a bit. If a payment is pending longer than expected, check your notifications in Vipps and your bank’s app.
Common Roadblocks and How to Fix Them
Name or address mismatch. If your Vipps profile does not match your bank and BankID details character for character, verification can fail. Fix your records with the bank first, then try Vipps again.
New SIM or number portability. If you recently changed numbers or moved your number between providers, wait until the number is fully active and registered in your name before setting up Vipps.
BankID not ready. Even after a successful bank appointment, BankID may need additional processing. If the app says your BankID is not available, contact your bank and ask if any checks are outstanding.
Dual citizenship characters. Names with special characters can cause trouble if different systems store them differently. Ask your bank how your legal name is recorded and copy that format in Vipps.
Trying to link a foreign account. Vipps is built for Norwegian bank accounts. International accounts generally will not connect, and cross-border transfers are not the target use case.
Security Best Practices
Use biometrics and a strong Vipps PIN. Do not share your PIN. Ever.
Lock your SIM and phone. Set a SIM PIN and device passcode. If you lose your phone, contact your mobile provider and bank immediately and freeze your services.
Beware of scams. If someone you do not know sends a payment request or a link that looks like Vipps, slow down. Only approve payments you initiated and verify the recipient’s name in the app before confirming.
Keep notifications on. Real-time alerts help you spot any activity quickly.
Vipps Without BankID, And Temporary Workarounds
Some banks offer limited onboarding paths, but without BankID you will be very restricted or unable to use Vipps. If you are still waiting on a D-number or BankID, rely on your physical bank card for most purchases. Norway has excellent card acceptance, including contactless, even at small shops. For splitting bills with friends while you wait, ask a friend to pay and settle by regular bank transfer from your Norwegian account, or keep a simple shared expense tracker until your Vipps is active.
Tips For Students, Short-Term Workers, And New Arrivals
Start your bank appointment process as soon as you arrive. Bring your documents in one folder and ask the bank to start the D-number and BankID steps at the same time. Keep the same mobile number throughout the setup period since changing numbers can reset verification steps. When you test Vipps, begin with tiny transfers until everything runs smoothly. Most frustrations vanish once BankID and your number are fully registered and aligned across systems.
Vipps is woven into everyday life here. Once you are set up, you will use it to split pizza, pay for a ski wax in a tiny lodge, or donate to your kid’s team. It takes a bit of paperwork to unlock, but the payoff is convenience everywhere you go in Norway.