Key facts
- Overseas visitors will continue to enjoy free entry to England’s national museums.
- Ministers decided against introducing nationality-based admission charges.
- The Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed free admission would remain in place for everyone.
- The decision was announced on September 28, 2026.
- Universal free admission to museums was introduced in 2001.
Overseas visitors will continue to enjoy free entry to England’s national museums after ministers decided against charging them. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed on Tuesday that free admission would remain in place for everyone, following months of discussions between the government, museums, the tourism sector, and local leaders.
In March, ministers had indicated they would explore options, including charging international visitors, as a way to boost the institutions' finances. This followed an independent review published in December by former Labour minister Margaret Hodge, who suggested that a charging model for international tourists would align the UK with countries like New Zealand and Singapore. However, the DCMS stated that charging overseas visitors could deter domestic visitors and that the impacts and benefits would not be felt equally across the sector.
Universal free admission to national museums was first introduced by Tony Blair’s Labour government in 2001. The DCMS noted that national museums contribute over £1 billion a year to the economy and attract millions of international visitors. In 2025, the Natural History Museum drew 7.1 million visitors, and the British Museum attracted 6.4 million.
The government also highlighted its funding for museums, including £760 million through its £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund and £600 million in infrastructure funding. A £13.6 million museum transformation program aims to help organizations move towards more sustainable business models. Ministers plan to work with Arts Council England and the sector on a long-term strategic plan for museums.
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, welcomed the decision, stating that keeping museums free for everyone is “great news” and embodies the belief that access to culture is a right, not a privilege.