UK Government Decides Against Charging Overseas Visitors for National Museums
Ministers will maintain free admission for all visitors, citing concerns that charging tourists could deter domestic visitors and create unequal benefits across the sector.
The United Kingdom's government has confirmed that national museums will continue to offer free admission to all visitors, including overseas tourists. The decision follows months of discussions exploring whether charging international visitors could alleviate funding pressures on these institutions.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced Tuesday that it would not introduce charges for overseas visitors, arguing that such a policy could deter domestic visitors and that the financial impacts would not be distributed evenly across the museum sector. The UK's 15 national museums, many of which are located in London, have provided free entry to all since 2001.
A review published last year by former Labour minister Baroness Margaret Hodge had suggested that a charging model for international tourists could align the UK with countries like New Zealand and Singapore. However, the DCMS concluded that the potential benefits of charging were outweighed by these concerns.
"Our museums are the places that light up the world. That's why they must be free, forever, for everyone to access," said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
National museums contribute significantly to the UK economy, generating over £1 billion annually and attracting millions of visitors. Institutions like the Natural History Museum and the British Museum welcomed 7.1 million and 6.4 million visitors, respectively, in 2025. Dr. Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, expressed delight at the continuation of free entry, noting that while his institution might have benefited from charging, the sector as a whole could have suffered. He emphasized that free museums are a key driver of tourism revenue.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the institution's founding principle of being free to all. "This will allow everyone to enjoy and have access to our great museums across the nation as one of the things this country does so brilliantly," he stated.
The government also highlighted existing financial support for museums, including £760 million from its £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund and £600 million in infrastructure funding. An additional £13.6 million museum transformation programme aims to help organizations develop more sustainable business models. Ministers have committed to working with the Arts Council and the sector on a long-term strategic plan for museums, with further details to be announced.