Liquids in Carry-On Baggage: Airport Rules

Liquids in carry-on baggage 2026: 100 ml or 2 litres? Airport rules

Checked in November 2026. The list of airports changes, so check your departure airport’s website before you travel.

The basic rule

Under EU rules, liquids must be in containers of no more than 100 ml, all packed in a transparent 1-litre bag that you show separately at security. Wizz Air also specifies the bag size: 20x20 cm.

Liquids also include gels, creams, pastes and aerosols.

Exceptions

Medication and baby food, in quantities needed for your journey.
Duty-free products in a sealed bag, with the receipt.

Where the 2-litre rule comes from

Some airports have new scanners that allow containers of up to 2 litres. This isn’t an EU-wide rule; it depends on the airport you’re flying from.

A few examples reported in the media:
- Bucharest, Otopeni and Băneasa: from 11 March 2026, only for flights that start there, not for transit.
- Vienna, Prague T2, Helsinki, Dublin, Vilnius, Kraków, Cluj, Sibiu and Rome.
- Partially in use at Frankfurt, Warsaw and Gdańsk.
- In Rome, the 100 ml limit still applies on flights to the US and Israel.

Where travellers get caught out

You depart with 2-litre containers, but the airport you return from may have older scanners. Or you have a layover, where you go through security again under the old rules and your liquids are confiscated.

How to pack to be on the safe side

Put liquids in containers of up to 100 ml in a 1-litre bag: this works everywhere.
If you want to take more, check both airports and any layover airport.
Larger bottles are safer in checked baggage.
You can refill an empty bottle after security.