Museums to Remain Free for Overseas Tourists Despite Discussion of Charging

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The UK government has decided to keep free admission to England’s national museums for all visitors, including overseas tourists, after reviewing proposals to charge international guests. This move aims to preserve museum accessibility and support tourism while relying on substantial government funding to address financial challenges in the cultural sector.

The UK government has confirmed that England’s national museums will continue to offer free admission to overseas visitors, following extensive discussions among government officials, museum representatives, the tourism sector, and local authorities. This decision was announced after earlier consideration of proposals to introduce charges for international tourists.

In March, ministers indicated that charging non-UK visitors could generate significant financial benefits for museums, which have faced funding challenges in recent years. The idea drew on a review led by former Labour minister Margaret Hodge, who suggested aligning the UK with several other countries that charge international visitors while maintaining free access for citizens and residents. However, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) ultimately decided against implementing such charges.

The department cited concerns that charging overseas visitors might discourage domestic attendance and that the financial impacts would not be distributed equally across the sector. As a result, the government confirmed that museums will remain free to all visitors, both domestic and international.

Universal free admission to national museums in England has been in place since 2001, following policies introduced by Tony Blair’s Labour government. National museums play a significant role in the UK economy, contributing over £1 billion annually. For example, the Natural History Museum and the British Museum attracted approximately 7.1 million and 6.4 million visitors respectively in 2025.

The government supports museums through substantial funding packages, including £760 million allocated from the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund and an additional £600 million dedicated to infrastructure improvements. Furthermore, a £13.6 million museum transformation programme aims to help cultural institutions adopt more sustainable business models.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the decision, highlighting the role of museums in education, culture, and tourism. He emphasized that keeping these venues accessible to all would continue to enhance London’s reputation as a global cultural capital while contributing to a fairer and more inclusive city.

The choice to maintain free entry reflects a balancing act between financial sustainability and public accessibility within England’s cultural heritage sector. Museums will continue to rely on government funding and other sources to support their operations and development.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.