(MENAFN) France’s Louvre Museum will implement a significant ticket price increase for visitors from outside the EU and select Schengen countries starting January 14, according to reports.

The museum’s Board of Directors approved a new pricing plan that will raise the standard admission for non-EU visitors—including those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—by 45%, from €22 to €32 ($37). Fees for EU residents will remain unchanged.

Officials cited the move as a response to growing visitor numbers and rising operational, conservation, and security expenses. France’s Culture Minister had previously advocated for “a differentiated, fair pricing model” for major cultural institutions, noting that European taxpayers should not shoulder the costs of increasing global demand.

The Louvre, home to iconic works such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, received over 8 million visitors last year, with non-European tourists representing a large portion of attendees.

Museum authorities have not ruled out additional pricing adjustments in the future.

The price revision comes in the wake of a high-profile jewelry theft in October, prompting calls for enhanced security measures. Similar policies have been introduced in the United States, where foreign tourists visiting major national parks will face higher fees, while domestic visitors pay the standard rates.

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