Norway is one of the most cashless countries in the world: cards are king almost everywhere, which changes the way you plan your budget in Norwegian kroner (NOK). Before you leave, it's worth understanding when cash still comes in handy and how much to take with you.
The Norwegian krone (NOK) at a glance
Norway's official currency is the Norwegian krone, whose international code is NOK and whose local symbol is kr. Be careful not to confuse it with the Swedish krona (SEK) or the Danish krone (DKK): these are three distinct currencies, specific to each Scandinavian country, with no parity between them. One krone is divided into 100 øre, although this subunit only survives in theory now that the smallest coins have disappeared.
In circulation, you'll find banknotes of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kr, as well as coins of 1, 5, 10 and 20 kr. The prices on display can come as a surprise: Norway is among the most expensive destinations in Europe, and a simple coffee or a quick meal can quickly reach high amounts. Planning a realistic budget avoids unpleasant surprises, especially in tourist areas such as Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø or the Lofoten Islands.
A country that lives (almost) without cash
This is Norway's great peculiarity: you can spend an entire stay there without touching a single banknote. Contactless bank cards are accepted just about everywhere, including for tiny amounts, on public transport, in museums, at food trucks and even in some churches or public toilets. Many businesses openly state that they accept only card payments.
Norwegians make heavy use of Vipps, a local mobile payment app. Good news for understanding the country, but a constraint for travellers: Vipps requires a Norwegian bank account and therefore remains, in practice, inaccessible to tourists. So you'll rely on your Visa or Mastercard, ideally with contactless payment enabled and, if possible, a card that limits foreign transaction fees.
So should you exchange euros for kroner?
Yes, but with good judgement. Even though cards cover the essentials, a little cash remains useful in certain typically Norwegian situations:
- the hytter (cabins and mountain huts) isolated in the mountains or along the hiking trails;
- small producers' markets, farms and craft stalls in the fjords;
- remote areas of the Far North, where the network and payment terminals may be lacking;
- a safety margin in case of a network outage or a blocked card.
For most trips, a modest reserve of kroner is more than enough. There's no need to set off with large amounts of cash: you'd mainly risk coming home with banknotes to convert back. Preparing this small fund before departure, at a clear rate and with no commission, remains the most stress-free option. You can check our available currencies to confirm the presence of the Norwegian krone among our more than 53 currencies.
ATMs, withdrawals and good practices on the ground
On the ground, the cash machines are called minibank. They are reliable, but two habits are essential. First, decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC): when the terminal offers to charge you directly in euros, always choose to pay in kroner (NOK), as the rate applied by your bank is usually more favourable. Second, watch out for fixed fees per withdrawal, which make small withdrawals proportionally costly: it's better to withdraw a little more in one go than to multiply small operations.
As for tipping, Norway is relaxed: service is included and nothing is mandatory. At a restaurant, it's customary to round up the bill or to leave around 5 to 10% if the service really pleased you, but no one will mind if you don't. This habit is easily handled by card.
Preparing your currency exchange from Paris
Arranging your currency exchange before departure avoids being subjected to airport and foreign ATM rates. Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), welcomes you at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, reachable via the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C (Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame). Our office is open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, with no commission. You can reserve your kroner online and then come and collect them in store, which locks in the amount and the day's counter rate.
A useful reminder: above €10,000 (or the equivalent) in cash when entering or leaving the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory. For a typical trip to Norway, you'll stay well below this threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pay in euros in Norway?
No, the euro is not legal tender in Norway: the only currency accepted is the Norwegian krone. A few tourist shops may tolerate euros, but at an unattractive rate. It's better to plan your payments in NOK, by card or in cash.
Do you really need to take cash?
A small reserve is enough. Cards cover almost all expenses, but a few kroner in your pocket come in handy in mountain huts, at markets and in the isolated areas of the north of the country.
Is it better to exchange in France or in Norway?
Exchanging part of your budget before departure spares you airport rates and foreign ATM fees, while letting you set off with peace of mind and an amount known in advance.
Prepare your trip with complete peace of mind: reserve your Norwegian kroner online and collect them with no commission at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, open 7 days a week.
