UK government confirms free admission for national museums

The UK government has officially confirmed that admission to national museums and galleries will remain free for all visitors, including foreign tourists. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy announced the decision during a Labour Party event at Tate Liverpool, stating that the 15 institutions funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport—including the British Museum and the Tate—will maintain their open-access policy.

This decision ends recent speculation regarding the introduction of entry fees for non-residents, a trend seen in other European institutions like the Louvre in Paris. The universal free admission policy, originally implemented in December 2001, has seen visitor numbers nearly double, rising from approximately 22.8 million in 1999 to nearly 44.7 million in the 2025/26 financial year.

Political and cultural leaders, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have supported the move. Officials emphasized that these institutions serve as essential windows into human history and must remain accessible to ensure future generations can engage with these collections without financial barriers.