The British government has dropped plans to charge foreign tourists for entry to national museums, keeping the free access policy that has been in place for 25 years.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said on Tuesday it would not go ahead with the proposal after a review found the drawbacks outweighed any financial gains.

Officials had suggested the idea in March as a way to raise money for museums struggling with tight budgets. But the government now says charging overseas visitors could put off British residents too.

“The impacts and benefits of charging would not be felt equally across the sector,” the department said in a statement.

Since 2001, tourists from around the world have enjoyed free access to permanent collections at famous sites like the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum. Many other countries charge entry fees at similar venues.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the decision. “It’s great news that the government has committed to continuing to keep museums free for everyone,” he said.

The figures show why tourism matters to these institutions. Last year, the Natural History Museum drew 7.1 million visitors while the British Museum attracted 6.4 million people. The British Museum currently displays the Bayeux Tapestry, which France has loaned for the first time.

Government data from 2023 to 2024 shows that 43% of people visiting national museums came from abroad.

The culture ministry pointed out that national museums pump more than £1 billion (R16.4 billion) into the British economy each year.

Museums still charge visitors for special temporary exhibitions, but permanent collections remain free to all.