Am I allowed to pay with cash in Norway?
Yes — you have a right to pay with cash. Under Financial Contracts Act §2-1 a consumer has the right to pay with cash at a business that sells goods or services to consumers at a fixed sales location, for amounts up to 20,000 kr. Norges Bank's notes and coins are legal tender under Central Bank Act §3-5. The right was strengthened in 2024, and from 1 May 2025 a business that unlawfully refuses cash risks an infringement fine. Note that under the anti-money-laundering law a dealer may not accept cash payments of 40,000 kr or more.
📋 The rules
- A consumer has the right to pay with cash at fixed sales locations
- The right applies to amounts up to 20,000 kr
- Cash is legal tender (Central Bank Act §3-5)
- From 1 May 2025: refusal can bring an infringement fine
- A dealer cannot accept cash of 40,000 kr or more
🔓 Exceptions
- Unmanned machines and pure online sales are exempt from the cash duty
- Sales locations that cannot handle cash safely may in some cases be exempt
- The 40,000-kr limit applies only to dealers in goods
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A business that unlawfully refuses a consumer the right to pay cash risks an infringement fine from 1 May 2025. A dealer who accepts 40,000 kr or more in cash breaches the anti-money-laundering law and can be fined.
📎 Official sources
- Norges Bank · The right to pay with cash →
- Prop. 55 L (2023–2024) · Government →
- Anti-Money-Laundering Act §5 · Lovdata →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I pay with cash?
Yes. You have a right to pay with cash at fixed sales locations for amounts up to 20,000 kr.
Can a shop refuse to accept cash?
As a main rule no. From 1 May 2025 a business that unlawfully refuses cash risks an infringement fine.
Is there an upper limit for cash payment?
The right to pay cash applies up to 20,000 kr. A dealer cannot accept cash of 40,000 kr or more.
Does the right apply online?
No. The right applies at fixed physical sales locations, not pure online sales or unmanned machines.
Is cash legal tender?
Yes. Norges Bank's notes and coins are legal tender under Central Bank Act §3-5.
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