In Norway, some gas stations, particularly those in more rural or remote areas, only accept specific types of payment methods or cards. This issue may occur for several reasons:
1. Lack of International Payment Support
Some gas stations in Norway, especially unmanned or automated ones, may only accept local payment systems or cards that use Norwegian networks like BankAxept, which is commonly used in the country. These stations might not support international debit or credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
2. Unmanned Stations with Limited Payment Options
Many gas stations in Norway are unmanned, meaning they rely on self-service payment machines, which may not be equipped to handle all card types, particularly foreign cards. Some stations might also require chip and PIN rather than magnetic stripe or contactless payments, which can limit the usability of certain cards.
3. Pre-Authorization Issues
In some cases, foreign cards might fail because gas stations often require a pre-authorization for a certain amount (for example, NOK 1,000 or more) before dispensing fuel. If your bank or card issuer rejects or flags the pre-authorization, the payment might not go through. This can happen especially with prepaid cards or if your card has tight spending limits or restrictions.
4. Card Acceptance Policy
Some gas stations might have specific agreements with certain card issuers. They may only accept particular card brands (e.g., local debit cards) or certain credit card networks, leaving international cardholders unable to pay.
5. Outdated Payment Terminals
In rural areas, gas stations might have older payment terminals that do not support the latest international payment processing systems, leading to card rejections.
Solutions:
- Carry Cash: Having some Norwegian kroner (NOK) on hand can help, especially in more remote areas.
- Use Norwegian Payment Apps: Consider downloading local payment apps like Vipps (widely used in Norway) if you plan to stay longer.
- Plan Ahead: If you know you’re heading to a remote area, check if there are specific payment methods accepted at the gas stations.
- Check with Your Bank: Inform your bank or card issuer about your travel plans to ensure your card is authorized for foreign transactions and large pre-authorizations.
