UK government confirms free admission for all national museums

The UK government has confirmed that admission to the country’s 15 national museums will remain free for all visitors. This decision effectively drops previous plans to introduce entry charges for international tourists.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy announced the decision at Tate Liverpool, stating that the national collections ‘must be free, forever, for everyone to access’. The move follows months of debate regarding potential fees as museums faced increasing financial pressures.

The 15 DCMS-sponsored institutions, which include the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate, recorded 42 million visits in 2024/25. These museums currently supplement their operations through ticketed exhibitions, shops, donations, and private giving.