National museums in England to remain free for overseas visitors

England's national museums will remain free for overseas visitors after ministers opted against changing the universal free admission policy.

It comes after months of discussions between the government, museums, and the tourism sector to examine whether making tourists from abroad pay could boost the institutions’ finances and raise revenue.

Ministers said in March that charging a fee to international visitors "could provide significant benefits" for these institutions, which are supported by the state.

The proposal followed an independent review published in December by former Labour minister Baroness Margaret Hodge, who said a charging model for international tourists "would align the UK with other countries, such as New Zealand and Singapore, that charge an entry fee to international visitors whilst retaining free entry for citizens and residents".

Access to permanent collections at England's 15 national museums has been free for the millions of tourists who visit every year since 2001.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Tuesday confirmed free admission would remain in place for everyone.

It said: "The government believes that charging overseas visitors could deter domestic visitors and that the impacts and benefits of charging would not be felt equally across the sector and therefore will not introduce charges for overseas visitors."

The DCMS said national museums contribute more than £1bn a year to the economy and attract visitors from around the world, with the Natural History Museum and the British Museum, which is currently displaying the Bayeux Tapestry, drawing in 7.1 million and 6.4 million visitors respectively in 2025.

Many museums in England, in lieu of admission fees, see their income supplemented from special exhibitions, events, membership and through gift shop sales.

In response, London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan who opposed the charge, said: "London's museums and galleries are the envy of the world, drawing millions from across the globe and an embodiment of our belief that access to culture is a right, not a privilege.

"By keeping these important venues open to all, we will continue to educate and entertain generations to come and show why we are the culture capital of the world, as we build a fairer, more inclusive London for everyone."

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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced that overseas visitors would not be charged to visit museums at an event hosted by Art Fund and the Cultural Policy Unit at Tate Liverpool.

British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said: "When the British Museum was founded as the world's first public national museum in 1753, it was to be free for 'all persons'.

"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."

(c) Sky News 2026: National museums in England to remain free for overseas visitors