Several museums across the country have announced on their websites an increase in ticket prices and service fees, following an order signed by the Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan. In discussions with an IPN reporter, museum managers stated that requests for price increases had been made some time ago and that the decision is a welcome one.

A ticket to the Art Museum, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, or the History Museum will now cost 50 lei for an adult - five times more than before. Students and pensioners will pay 25 or 20 lei instead of 5 lei, while the price for schoolchildren will be 10 lei, up from 2 lei previously.

Guided tours in Romanian for groups will cost between 100 and 150 lei per hour, while tours in a foreign language will range from 200 to 300 lei per hour. Photographing or scanning museum exhibits will cost between 250 and 600 lei, while reproducing an exhibit for commercial publications will cost 1,000 lei. Professional photography or video recording with specialized equipment will be priced between 1,500 and 4,000 lei per hour.

Certain categories of people, including preschool children, children with disabilities, official delegations, cultural delegations, conscripts of the National Army, war veterans, and others, will be granted free admission.

According to the general director's directive, on one Thursday each month, admission to the National History Museum will be free for all visitors. The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History will offer free entry on one Friday per month, while the Art Museum will do so on a Wednesday.

Museum managers explain that changes to the Museum Law in December 2024 granted them the authority to propose service pricing, which was later approved by the Ministry of Culture. Previously, prices were set by a government decision.

Petru Vicol, general director of the Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, told IPN that the price increase for tickets and services was an anticipated decision. "We even received suggestions from visitors that ticket prices did not reflect the country's economic reality. [...] This is a welcome decision, supported by professionals in the field," said Petru Vicol.

"Cultural consumers understand the effort and expenses incurred by professionals in preserving and promoting heritage," he added.

Lucia Postica, deputy director of the Art Museum of Moldova, stated for IPN that the new prices have been in effect for two days, and visitor numbers have not decreased. "It is not fair for museum entry to cost only 10 lei for an adult," she said.

Alexandru Argint, deputy director of the History Museum, also expressed support for the increase. "It’s not just a ticket price, but a contribution I make as a citizen to support culture," he said.