ATMs In Norway: Where And How To Withdraw Cash - The Norway Guide (2024)

Most people from around the world is used to using ATMs to withdraw cash, but whenever you visit a new country, it’s smart to check out what the local customs is when it comes with withdrawing cash.

Most Norwegians don’t really used cash to pay for anything, so how does that affect the availability of ATMs in Norway? Let’s take a closer look at how common ATMs are in Norway, where to find them, and how to use them!

Despite the fact that Norway is a mostly cashless society, there are ATMs pretty much everywhere, including in small towns and villages. All ATMs can be used with Visa or Mastercard, and you won’t have any problem withdrawing cash with either of these two cards.

ATMs In Norway: Where And How To Withdraw Cash - The Norway Guide (1)

How to find ATMs in Norway

Most towns, villages and of course cities will have at least one ATM, and you likely won’t have to travel very far to find one. Here’s how to easily find ATMs in Norway:

A good trick to finding ATMs is to use Google Maps and search for ATMs. This will give you a closer look at your nearest ATMs. Another option is to look for a bank (all banks also have ATMs at or outside the bank), or ask a person you meet for directions to the nearest one.

The most common place to find ATMs in Norway is just outside a bank, so look for buildings that says Sparebank 1, DNB or Nordea. The second most common place is inside or just outside shopping malls and shopping districts.

Very small towns and villages will typically have their ATMs close to or at the local grocery store, the local gas station or the city center. Your best bet is probably to ask someone, look around or use Google Maps. Smaller towns will usually only have a single ATM, so you are stuck with the one that’s there.

Make sure to keep in mind that the Norwegian word for ATM is minibank. The signs leading to it will say minibank, and not ATM. Some Norwegians might even be a bit confused by the word ATM is you ask for directions, but they will understand what you mean if you ask for a minibank.

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How to use Norwegian ATMs

Norwegian ATMs are pretty much like all ATMs around the world, so just deposit your debit or credit card into the machine, type in your PIN, and tell the machine how much money you would like to withdraw.

Most ATMs have a set limit of how much money you can withdraw, and a common cap is to have 5000 NOK per day per card. This can be raised by calling your local bank to let them remove it for you.

All Norwegian ATMs will have the option to change the language to English. Click on the Norwegian flag or the word Language or Språk to change.

Other than take, you pretty much only need to type in your PIN code, the amount of want to withdraw, and whether or not you want a receipt on the transaction.

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Things to make sure of before you bring your credit card to Norway

If you’re coming from aboard, there are a few things you will want to check out before you leave for Norway.

Firstly, make sure you have a card that is either Visa or Mastercard. Norway does not really used American Express or Discover, so you might not find many ATMs that accept these. You might find machines that accept these in bigger cities like Oslo, Bergen or Trondhiem, but you are not going to be able to do that in smaller towns.

On the other hand, pretty much all accept Mastercard and Visa. These two are the standard ones in Norway that 99 % of the population uses, so these are safe to bring to both ATMs and in-store card payment terminals.

Another thing to check out before you leave is that your PIN code is only 4 digits. Norwegian ATMs only use a 4 digit PIN code system, and I have heard of tourists who have not managed to withdraw cash due to the fact that they have a 6 digit PIN code.

Most people don’t have any trouble, but change to a 4 digit PIN code before you leave just to be on the safe side.

You might also want to make sure your bank is aware that you are travelling to Norway. Some banks will think that your card has been stolen when it is suddenly used at the other side of the world, but a quick call will make them aware of your travel, and remove any potential scam flagging issue before you leave.

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Are ATM scams common in Norway?

There are plenty of countries where criminals have specialized in scamming ATM machines by ripping of the information of the card that enters, then use these card details to other type of scams and criminal activity. Luckily, ATM scams are very rare in Norway, and you can generally feel safe when depositing your debit or credit card into an ATM.

Tourist trap ATMs in Norway

Europe is filled with tourist trap ATMs where certain ATM companies place ATMs in very strategic locations to try to bait tourists into using them.

The machines themselves are perfectly legal and operational, but the tourist trap part comes from the fact that these ATMs have insane fees.

There are pretty few tourist trap ATMs in Norway, but you will find some in Oslo, Bergen and the great Oslo metropolitan area.

I’m not going to be called out names and call certain companies scam companies here, but I just want to mention that a Norwegian newspaper found that ATMs from Euronet charges about 4x times as high fees as regular ATMs from Norwegian banks.

So if you don’t want to pay insane fees, consider not using Euronet ATMs when visiting Norway or other European countries.

ATMs In Norway: Where And How To Withdraw Cash - The Norway Guide (2024)

FAQs

ATMs In Norway: Where And How To Withdraw Cash - The Norway Guide? ›

Minibanks (the Norwegian name for ATMs) can be found adjacent to many banks and near busy public places, like shopping centres and central train stations. You can withdraw cash using major credit cards or Cirrus, Visa Electron or Plus debit cards with a 4-digit PIN.

Can I use my American debit card in Norway? ›

Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places also accept payment by phone, like Google Pay and Apple Pay. But it is still a good idea to have a bit of cash on you for small purchases. Foreign currency is rarely accepted, so you need Norwegian currency to get by.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Norway? ›

You may want to exchange money to NOK before you leave, but it's also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Norway. You'll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Norway, but carrying some cash in NOK is also reassuring.

Are ATMs free in Norway? ›

As far as I know, Norwegian ATMs do not have specific extra fees added directly to each withdrawal/transaction, the system simply does not work that way. There are no published fixed fees added, like in some countries, at least I have never seen anything like that.

How much is $100 US in Norway? ›

US Dollars to Norwegian Kroner: exchange rates today
USDNOK
20 USD213.91 NOK
50 USD534.77 NOK
100 USD1,069.55 NOK
250 USD2,673.89 NOK
8 more rows

Where to get cash in Norway? ›

ATMs. Minibanks (the Norwegian name for ATMs) can be found adjacent to many banks and near busy public places, like shopping centres and central train stations. You can withdraw cash using major credit cards or Cirrus, Visa Electron or Plus debit cards with a 4-digit PIN.

How do I avoid international ATM withdrawal fees? ›

  1. Use a travel credit card instead.
  2. Choose a bank that doesn't charge foreign ATM fees.
  3. Use a bank that reimburses ATM fees.
  4. Use your bank network's ATMs or partner ATMs.
  5. Pay in local currency.
  6. Reduce ATM usage.
  7. Use your debit card to get cash back at a store.
May 1, 2024

What is the best debit card to use in Norway? ›

5 best travel money cards for Norway:
CardCard schemeFees for spending
Starling BankMastercardNo fee
WiseVisa / MastercardNo fees to spend currencies you hold
RevolutVisaNo fees to spend currencies you hold
CaxtonMastercardNo fees to spend currencies you hold
1 more row

Is it worth taking cash to Norway? ›

Taking cash to Norway

There are likely to be times in Norway when cash is handy - for smaller purchases, tipping and taxis for example. Having some cash in your pocket is also reassuring in case your preferred payment card isn't available or can't be accepted for some reason.

Which is the correct order to withdraw money from ATM? ›

How to withdraw money from ATM?
  • Step 1: Insert ATM Card: ...
  • Step 2: Select Language. ...
  • Step 3: Enter 4-Digit ATM Pin: ...
  • Step 4: Select the type of Transaction: ...
  • Step 5: Select the Type of Account: ...
  • Step 6: Enter the withdrawal amount. ...
  • Step 7: Collect the Cash: ...
  • Step 8: Take a printed receipt , if needed:
Jan 29, 2024

What should you do before you withdraw money from the ATM? ›

Always insert your card into the ATM with the chip facing forward, enter your PIN, and follow the prompts for your transaction on the screen. Furthermore, choose ATMs affiliated with your bank to avoid extra fees. Opt for well-lit, high-traffic ATM locations for safety. Avoid leaving your card at the ATM.

Does Norway accept debit cards? ›

Money. The national currency is Norwegian kroner (NOK), divided into 100 ore. Debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted in big retailers and hotels, but many supermarkets and petrol stations will not accept credit cards so make sure you keep cash on hand.

What's the best way to pay for things in Norway? ›

It's a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in NOK when you're in Norway. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut alongside your cash for flexibility.

Can I use my American debit card internationally? ›

Yes, cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries. If you're planning to travel and want to use your card, let us know.

How much cash should I take to Norway? ›

Cash is rarely appreciated, use card everywhere for any amount. Norwegians manage to get a lunch in a cafe for between NOK 100 - 150, much less than GBP 20. Tourist traps in cruise ports are rarely the cheapest offering.

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