Czech Culture Minister announces free museum entry policy

Czech Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř has announced that state museums and galleries will offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month, starting September 6. The initiative aims to make culture more accessible to a wider range of people. The Ministry of Culture intends to compensate institutions for the lost revenue using its own existing budget, claiming the move will not cost the state any additional funds.

The policy has sparked political tension. MEP Danuše Nerudová questioned how the lost income would be compensated, leading to a sharp exchange on social media. Nerudová also referenced Klempíř’s past cooperation with the StB (State Security) during the 1980s.

While some institutions, such as the Museum of Romani Culture, see minimal impact from lost ticket sales, others like the National Gallery Prague and the National Museum rely more heavily on admission revenue. The Ministry plans to evaluate the financial impact of the program by the middle of the fourth quarter.