The Cologne Cathedral will require a regular entrance fee of twelve euros for visitors. According to the Cathedral Chapter, the interior of the Cologne Cathedral will only be accessible against this viewing fee starting July 1, 2026. This measure is intended to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Cathedral. Children under 13 will continue to receive free admission, while students aged 14 and older, apprentices, university students, and social benefit recipients from North Rhine-Westphalia will benefit from a reduced fee of six euros.
Cathedral Dean Guido Assmann noted that recent public discussions demonstrated that many people understand the necessity of securing sustainable funding for the Cathedral. He emphasized, “The new viewing fee is not for profit, but for the existential preservation of the Cathedral”. The introduction of the fee aims to secure the ongoing operation and allow the Cathedral to be experienced as a sacred space. Access to religious services remains free, and the north transept is always open for prayer outside of service times. Cathedral Dean Assmann expressed confidence that the new concept will prove successful after an adjustment period, ensuring that the Cathedral remains both structurally preserved and spiritually significant long term.
