💳 Digital payments in Norway: how to live a contactless life — from logging in to P2P and subscriptions

Disclaimer: this is an overview, not legal or financial advice. Procedures and requirements are subject to change — check the terms and conditions of your bank/service.

🔑 Digital identification and login

📱 BankID / mobile app

BankID (usually in the form of the BankID app on your smartphone) is used to log in to online banking and confirm transactions. Activation is done through your bank; options include confirmation via a code device, SMS/e-mail or a passport scan in the app. This is two-factor authentication (password + device).

Practice: install the BankID app and enable biometrics in your bank settings — this will speed up login and payment. Never share your codes/passwords with third parties; the police/bank will not ask for them over the phone or in messages.

🤝 P2P payments and bills for housing/clubs

💸Vipps: quick payments ‘by number’ and ‘split bills’

Vipps is the main P2P service: instant transfers between people, split bills, small payments and donations. Requires a local account/phone number and identification (usually BankID).

How it works: transfer money to contacts by number, ‘Split bill’ after dinner, QR payment at markets. The payment status is immediately visible to both parties (crediting to the account may depend on the method — account↔account is instant, cards take longer).

For regular bills (nursery, phone, utilities): set up auto payments at your bank (see below). Vipps is handy for one-off and semi-regular payments for clubs/classes.

🔄 Subscriptions, auto payments, limits

🧾 eFaktura and AvtaleGiro: so that bills ‘pay themselves’

• eFaktura — electronic bills directly to your online bank; you see the details and confirm/set up payment. The service is rolled out by banks through Mastercard Payment Services (Nets).
• AvtaleGiro — automatic debit on a specific date (similar to direct debit) — convenient for communications/insurance/subscriptions. Set up at your bank and it pulls payments without you having to click anything.

Life hack: enable eFaktura for account visibility and AvtaleGiro for auto-pay where possible — fewer late payments and less manual routine.

📊 Subscription control

Once a month, review the list of active recipients in your online bank/app, disable unnecessary ones and set limits on your card for online purchases.

🛡 Security and privacy

• Phishing/vishing: your bank/the police will never ask for your BankID codes; ‘transfer to a secure account’ is a common scam. Contact your bank via their official number.
• Public Wi-Fi: do not confirm large payments on open networks; use mobile internet if necessary.
• Limits and notifications: enable push notifications for transactions, set daily/online limits for your card in your bank's app.
• Reserve: keep a second card separate; enable card freezing with a single tap.

🚀 Quick route to going digital

1. Install the BankID app, complete activation/biometric verification.
2. Connect Vipps (for P2P/splits) — with your local number/account and ID.
3. Enable eFaktura + AvtaleGiro for communications/utility bills/insurance.
4. Set up limits/notifications and add your bank's ‘security contacts’.
5. Create a ‘subscription calendar’ and a monthly 15-minute audit.

📌 Anti-shock list for subscriptions (insert)

• Check the list of recipients at your bank and in the App Store/Google Play once a month.
• Record the debit date next to your salary/scholarship (so you don't go into the red).
• For ‘rare’ services, use gift codes/monthly plans instead of auto-subscriptions.
• Set online limits on your card and enable 3-D Secure.

🧼 Mini security reminder: 6 rules of ‘digital hygiene’

• Do not disclose BankID codes/passwords even ‘on behalf of the bank/police’.
• Confirm large transactions only in the bank app/via BankID.
• Disable saved cards on other websites and clear auto payments after cancellation.
• Keep a second card separate and enable quick freeze.
• Use mobile internet instead of open Wi-Fi when confirming transactions.
• Update your bank/BankID/Vipps apps — this is about security patches.