Is the Pantheon Ever Free to Enter, and on Which Days?
Yes — the Pantheon is free on the first Sunday of every month, on a few national free-admission days such as 2 June (Republic Day), and at all times for several specific categories of visitor. On every other day you need a paid ticket (€5, rising to €7 from 1 July 2026). Here’s the full picture of when you can get in for nothing.
The free days everyone can use
On certain dates, admission is free for all visitors regardless of who you are:
- First Sunday of every month — free for everyone, all year, as part of Italy’s nationwide Domenica al Museo scheme.
- 2 June (Republic Day) — the Pantheon opens with free admission, confirmed by the official ticketing authority.
- Other national free days — dates such as 25 April and 4 November, plus special occasions like European Heritage Days (September) and International Museum Day (May), can also bring free entry. These vary year to year, so confirm before relying on them.
On all of these days there is no online booking. Everyone, individuals and groups alike, queues at the entrance to collect a free, non-nominal ticket — and the crowds are heavy.
People who always enter free
Beyond the free days, several categories enter free on any day, with appropriate proof:
- Under 18s — free for all nationalities.
- Rome residents (Comune di Roma) — with proof of residence.
- Visitors with disabilities and their carer.
- Worshippers attending Mass at the basilica.
- Licensed tourist guides (tourist escorts pay full price).
- Specific categories under Decree 507/1997 — including certain EU academics and teachers, accredited journalists, and ICOM members.
Who pays a reduced rate
EU citizens aged 18–25 pay a reduced €2, as do citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the same age band. Bring ID to claim it.
Is it worth visiting on a free day?
Free days are tempting, but they are by far the busiest. The free-entry queue can stretch longer than the paid queue on a normal day, so you may trade a €5–€7 saving for a much longer wait. If a calm, guaranteed-time visit matters more to you, a paid timed slot on another day is often the better choice.
How to claim free entry on the day
On a free-admission day, simply head to the entrance and join the queue for a free, non-nominal ticket — there’s nothing to pay and no separate window to find. If instead you belong to an always-free category, such as an under-18, a Rome resident, or an eligible academic, you can usually select a free ticket when booking online for a normal day. Either way, bring your proof: staff can check eligibility both at the door and inside the monument.
Free and reduced entry at a glance
- Free for everyone: the first Sunday of each month, 2 June, and select national dates.
- Always free with proof: under-18s, Rome residents, disabled visitors plus carer, worshippers at Mass, licensed guides, and Decree 507/1997 categories.
- Reduced €2: EU citizens (and EEA nationals plus Switzerland) aged 18–25.
- Everyone else: €5, rising to €7 from 1 July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Pantheon always free?
For most of its history, yes — it was free for roughly eighteen centuries. A paid entry ticket was introduced only in July 2023.
Do you still need a ticket on free days?
Yes, but it’s a free, non-nominal ticket collected on site. You can’t reserve it online.
Is the first Sunday free every month?
Yes — the first Sunday of each month is free for everyone, all year round.
Are free days crowded?
Very. Expect long lines, especially in summer and around holidays, often longer than a normal paid-day wait.