Norway implemented new legislation on October 1, strengthening consumers’ right to pay with cash. This move came in response to the country’s rapid shift towards a cashless society, which had left an estimated 600,000 Norwegians who struggle with digital transactions at a disadvantage.
The changes to the Financial Agreements Act, adopted by the Norwegian parliament in June 2024, aimed to clarify the situations in which customers have the right to use cash. Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl emphasized that the new rules ensure that non-digital citizens have the same payment opportunities as everyone else.
While Norway has seen a trend of businesses in major cities rejecting cash in favor of card and mobile payments, the government views cash as crucial for both social inclusivity and emergency preparedness.
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The Directorate for Social Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to recommend that all Norwegians keep some cash on hand, citing the vulnerability of digital payment systems to potential attacks or failures.
The legislation is also seen as a preparedness measure in an increasingly uncertain world. Minister Mehl highlighted the importance of being ready for scenarios such as long-term power outages, system failures, or digital attacks that could disrupt electronic payment methods.
“This will be a change in the law that will stand the test of time, both for the sake of social security and for the sake of the individual, so that people who use cash do not fall outside society,” Mehl said in a statement.
A public committee, established by the government to explore ways of ensuring safe and simple payments for all citizens in the future, is due to submit its report to the Ministry of Finance by November 15, 2024.
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