Hello:
I am trying to determine whether I need a PIN for my credit card when using in Norway. I see conflicting messages on the internet. (You need it for purchases over a certain amount, you need it when making purchases in person, etc).
My US cards don't come with a PIN and I have my cards in Apple Wallet.
What is the experience of people traveling in Norway now? Will I need a PIN for purchasing food, hotels, etc?
Thanks so much!
Was there last July, and used card several times in different places, and never asked for a pin. Virtually everywhere was tap only.
My experience with credit cards in Europe, not specifically Norway, is that if the tap and pay does not work with my card, I insert the card and then sign a receipt.
I think the advice on PIN numbers is outdated. I called my credit card company, Chase, a few years ago to try and get a PIN number because I was so worried I needed one, and they wouldn’t even give me one. I just don’t think they are used much anymore with the newer technology.
2023 - Bergen and Oslo - multiple nights each location. Never had any problem with a CC, no PIN - restaurants, shops, hotels.
Sometimes in various countries, I have not been able to "tap" for a hotel bill as it is over the country's limit for contactless charges. The UK comes to mind, but I think elsewhere as well. In those cases, I have never had a problem with inserting a card and have never needed a PIN. That has been true of hotels where I have paid by CC since the last century.
Were there last summer ('24) and had no issues just tapping my card.
I don't recall EVER using a PIN on a CC in Europe, but I'm guessing it was an issue at some point or we wouldn't still wonder about it.
In 2023 spent 2 plus weeks in Norway. No problem using US issued credit cards at hotels, restaurants or shops. No PIN required.
With Canadian credit cards, we use a PIN and have for many years, for purchases above a certain value set between you and your credit card (it is an added security layer for large expenditures). On our recent trip in England, we couldn’t tap for our hotel bills (£1200+) and one expensive meal. Not sure if other country’s credit cards, outside of the US, have the same approach for large amounts. It has been years since we signed on a large amount transaction.
We were in Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen in August 2024 and never needed a pin for our CC's.
