💳 Bank cards and fees: how to pay less

Almost everything here is paid for with a card or phone — convenient, but it's easy to lose money on hidden fees and unfavourable exchange rates. Below is a short, practical breakdown of which cards work without surprises, when you actually need cash, and how to set up currency transactions so that exchange rate fluctuations don't eat into your budget. Plus, a couple of anti-traps like DCC (‘offer to charge in your currency’) and ‘tourist’ ATMs.

💡 Which cards work best and where are the fees lower?

What is accepted. Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, transport and cafes; Amex/Diners are significantly less common. Mobile wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay) are widely supported and frequently used.

What to pay with.

• Take two cards from different banks (preferably both debit and credit). A credit card is more useful for deposits at hotels/car rentals and provides purchase protection. Global bank fees for ‘foreign transactions’ are usually 2–3%, so look for cards without FX commissions.
• Pay in NOK if the terminal offers a choice of currency. DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) adds a surcharge to the exchange rate → overpayment. Always select ‘Local currency / NOK’.
• Pay by phone wherever convenient: the share of mobile payments in retail is growing rapidly (according to the central bank, already around 30% of POS transactions in spring 2025).

A note about cash. Formally, consumers have the right to pay in cash at stationary points of sale (introduced in 2024; effective from autumn 2024, with a penalty system from 2025). However, in everyday life, cards are still faster and cheaper.

💵 Does it make sense to withdraw cash?

Rarely. Cards/phones cover almost all scenarios, so cash is only needed occasionally (tips, small fairs, rare communication failures).

If you do need it.

• Look for bank ATMs/terminals and avoid ‘independent’ networks with high markups (in Europe, Euronet often charges a withdrawal fee and displays aggressive DCC prompts). Before confirming, look carefully at the screen: the fee must be shown in advance — you can cancel the transaction.
• Some fintech card operators only offer the first two withdrawals/up to a small amount free of charge, with a commission thereafter (e.g. Wise: two free withdrawals up to the equivalent of £100/month, then fees). Plan your cash in advance.
• The local banking system offers a ‘cash in store’ service via a terminal, but it is designed for local cards (typically customers of local banks). It is easier for visitors to use regular ATMs.

Conclusion: keep a minimum amount of cash on hand and use your card/wallet for the rest. It's cheaper and safer.

📊 How to optimise currency expenses during fluctuations?

1) Remove ‘hidden’ surcharges.

• Always decline DCC and pay in NOK. Your bank/fintech will convert at its own (usually more fair) rate.
• Check your card for foreign transaction fees (often 2–3%). If there are any, get a second card without FX fees and pay with that.

2) Use multi-currency solutions — but with rules.

• Revolut. On the free plan, exchanges on weekdays are free up to a certain limit, but on weekends there is a 1% weekend fee, and above the limit there is a ‘fair usage’ fee (usually 1%). A simple strategy: convert on weekdays and keep your NOK balance for your trip.
• Wise. Conversions at the mid-market rate with transparent fees; you can store NOK and spend it with a multi-currency card. For cash, remember the free withdrawal limits.
• Set rate alerts in the app (keep an eye on NOK) and exchange money in batches on favourable days.

3) Plan ahead.

For hotels/car rentals, keep a credit card: a debit card can freeze money in your account and mess up your cash flow.

4) Duplication is a must.

Two cards/wallets on different platforms (e.g., your country's bank + fintech) will save you in case of blockages/malfunctions.

The short formula for saving money is as follows: Visa/Mastercard + mobile wallet, payments in NOK (always refuse DCC), minimum cash and a multi-currency card for smart conversion on weekdays and with limits in mind. If you suddenly need cash, withdraw it from bank ATMs and read the screen before confirming. This way, your cards work for you, not the other way around, and your budget stays under control even when the exchange rate is volatile.