Overview
- Officials confirm tourist admission will begin in the second half of 2026, with ticket prices yet to be announced.
- Operators cite rising personnel and operating costs, projecting about €16 million in spending for 2026 and warning that reserves are nearing depletion.
- Entry will remain free for worshippers and members of the Central Cathedral Building Association, with access for votive candles and silent prayer kept open at no charge.
- Fees for existing paid offerings such as tower climbs, treasury visits, and concerts may increase, and leaders say the new system should help reduce crowding.
- Artist Gerhard Richter has voiced support for the plan, and the Archdiocese of Cologne will advance its 2027 subsidy to help bridge funding needs.