March 17, 2026, 5:04 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Security checks are becoming more relaxed for travelers in Europe at an increasing number of airports. Many airports have now acquired highly sensitive scanners that can also check liquids over 100 milliliters. For travelers, this means they can carry liquids up to 2 liters per container in their hand luggage. An overview of the airports that have abolished the strict liquid limits is available here at TRAVELBOOK.
The days of overpriced small water bottles are almost over. Instead of quickly drinking half a liter of water or waiting thirstily until you can finally buy a small amount of water for a lot of money, security checks are becoming much more relaxed in many places. The reason: Many airports in Europe have already raised the limits for liquids in hand luggage.
CT Scanners at More and More Airports
As a protective measure against terrorist attacks using liquid bombs hidden in drink bottles, the 100-milliliter liquid limit for hand luggage was introduced in 2006, both in Europe and internationally. Since then, anyone transporting drinks, creams, shampoo, and the like in their hand luggage must do so in small containers and bottles. At security checks, these must be presented separately in a clear, resealable plastic bag that holds only 1 liter in total. If you’re thirstier than 100 milliliters can quench, you can choose between not always available drinking stations, restroom faucets, and expensive airport drinks. If you need more than just a little shampoo, you can transport it in checked luggage or buy it on-site.
The small containers and their sometimes costly circumstances, as well as unpacking bags at the check, are now history at some European airports. According to “Euronews,” the reason lies in new CT scanners that provide high-resolution 3D images (CT stands for computed tomography). They can detect both liquid and solid explosives. Where these are already installed, the liquid rules have been (partially) abolished. This is a goal the EU Commission set for the entire European Union by July 2025, and some airports implemented it years ago.
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Up to 2 Liters per Container
Under the new regulation, passengers are allowed to carry up to two liters of liquid per container in their hand luggage. This means not only can a regular-sized water bottle fly, but also shampoo bottles and cream jars can be transported in their original size.
However, travelers should definitely check the hand luggage rules at their departure airport before packing their hand luggage—even if it is on the following list. And: Also consider any connecting airports. Just because you are allowed to fly with a 2-liter bottle does not necessarily mean you can transfer with it. Most European airports have not yet implemented the new rules.
These Airports Allow Up to 2 Liters per Container
Now, finally, to the airports in Europe where the mini bottles are already (partially) a thing of the past:
Germany:
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Munich Airport (MUC)
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
All four mentioned German airports already have CT scanners, but not comprehensively. For example, Frankfurt Airport states on its website: “At some checkpoints, new CT scanners are already in use, where up to 2 liters of liquids are allowed (…).” However, this is not the case everywhere. Therefore, travelers are advised: “Since it is not predictable at which checkpoint you will pass the security check, we still recommend adhering to the general regulation (max. 100 ml per container in the 1-liter bag) to ensure a smooth process.” The same is written by BER, and in Munich and Cologne/Bonn, the old 100-ml rule sometimes still applies.
Netherlands:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
United Kingdom:
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR), England
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW), England
- Birmingham Airport (BHX), England
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Scotland
- Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland
Spain:
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
- Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP)
Italy:
- Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
- Bologna Airport (BLQ)
- Turin Airport (TRN)
Ireland:
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
Denmark:
- Billund Airport (BLL)
Finland
- Helsinki Airport (HEL)
Czech Republic:
- Václav Havel Airport Prague (Letiště Václava Havla Praha) (PRG)
Malta:
- Malta International Airport (MLA)
Lithuania:
- Vilnius Čiurlionis International Airport (VNO)
- Kaunas Airport (KUN)
Poland:
- John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK)
- Poznań-Ławica Airport (POZ)
Romania:
- Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport (CLJ)
Note: This list is not exhaustive and includes airports where the 2-liter rule only partially applies. Please check thoroughly before traveling.
In addition to the more generous liquid allowances, travelers at these and some other airports can often leave their electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, in their bags. And even where only small amounts of liquids are still allowed, it may be that they do not need to be removed from the bag and presented separately. Exceptions to the rules for liquids in hand luggage generally apply to medications that passengers need to take on board, as well as to baby food.