One million Museum Passes issued since scheme's launch

The Museum Pass - which grants unlimited access to 270 museums across Belgium - has seen its popularity rise, with one million passes issued since the scheme launched in 2018.

The number of active Museum Pass holders throughout Belgium has now reached more than 235,000 card-holders.

Together, they made around 1.3 million museum visits in 2025, significantly boosting Belgium’s museum sector and returning €30 million to the sector.

Each visit generates a payment from the museumPASSmusées organisation to the visited museum.

The organisation receives no government subsidies and depends almost entirely on pass sales for its income. The pass costs €64.95 and provides free entry to museums across Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels region for a year.

Brussels museums alone welcomed five million visitors in 2025, new figures have revealed.

According to umbrella organisation Brussels Museums, this remains a strong number despite challenges such as roadworks, public transport strikes, and a decline in purchasing power in the past year.

While certain museums saw a decline, exhibitions focusing on Art Deco and Art Nouveau, as well as specialised exhibits in art institutions such as Wiels, Bozar, and the Wellington (Waterloo) Museum, continued to attract large audiences.

This year, pass-holders will gain access to several new museums, as well as museums reopening after major renovations and changes.

This includes the long-awaited Kanal-Centre Pompidou in Brussels, which is due to open on 28 November, the new BRUSK art hall in Bruges opening on 8 May, the Roger Raveel Museum in Zulte reopening on 28 June, and the revamped Design Museum Ghent opening on 3 October.

2026 is also shaping up to be a strong year for upcoming exhibits. This year's programme includes The Belgian Museum Week from 17 to 24 May 2026, and exhibitions such as Onvergetelijk at MSK Ghent, Constellations at La Boverie, a show on Marc Chagall in Mons, and a focus on the Antwerp Six at MoMu.

However, Brussels Museums has expressed concern about the prolonged absence of a city government, which is delaying exhibition programming and could affect visitor numbers in the future.