The European Union is starting to ease restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags, which is a step in the right direction. However, I think it would be impossible for the implementation of this to be any more confusing for the traveling public, and I can’t imagine this is going to go smoothly.
European Union begins lifting carry-on liquids restrictions
Restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags is one major point of frustration among air travelers. We’re increasingly seeing talk of these restrictions being phased out, as airports update their scanners, with improved technology to detect risks.
Along those lines, the European Union has signed off on allowing travelers to now bring liquids in containers larger than 100ml (3.4 ounces) through security checkpoints. With this update, travelers will be able to bring liquids through security that are in containers of up to two liters.
There’s a catch, though. For now, liquids restrictions are only being eased at checkpoints that have machines from Smiths Detection, so these restrictions aren’t being eased at checkpoints with other next generation scanners, from companies like Nuchtech and Rapiscan. Furthermore, it’s up to individual countries and airports whether they want to lift these restrictions.
As European Union regulators explain:
Major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, as well as Dublin, Krakow, Catania, Bergamo, and Torino, may be soon able to accept and screen liquids if they decide to do so.
Approximately 700 units of this technology type is currently used or is being installed at airports located in around 21 Member States of the Union, such as Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Other airports and Member States may be progressively added to that list, as soon as other equipment configurations, currently being tested, obtain the EU Stamp.
We actually saw the European Union lift some liquids restrictions in the summer of 2024, before quickly reimposing them, due to a “temporary technical vulnerability.” It seems that has been resolved in the meantime.
Here in the United States, we continue to have restrictions in liquids in carry-ons. However, there’s now talk of this being lifted, just as we’ve recently seen policies around shoes at security changed.
For now, assume that rules haven’t actually changed
I’m happy to see that liquids restrictions are progressively being lifted in the European Union. However, for now, I’d basically just assume that the old rules still apply, because the execution here is impossibly complicated.
It’s not just that every airport will have a different policy for now, but rules at a particular airport could even differ between terminals, which often have different screening equipment. So you really can’t reliably count on anything for now. For example, at Milan Linate Airport, Terminal 1 will no longer have restrictions, while Terminal 2 will.
Furthermore, keep in mind that on a return journey, it’s possible your outbound airport doesn’t have the restrictions, while your return airport does. I can only imagine how many passengers will now be saying “but they let me bring this on my last flight…”
But hey, progress is better than nothing, and it’s a step in the right direction. I’d rather they start to lift restrictions in a way that’s hard for the average traveler to make sense of, than not at all.
Bottom line
Liquids restrictions at security checkpoints in the European Union will progressively be lifted. For now, select member states have the ability to lift restrictions at select checkpoints with certain types of scanners installed.
Currently, there are around 700 scanners across 21 countries that have the new technology, so in theory, travelers can start bringing liquids of up to two liters. However, I wouldn’t recommend banking on this, as policies will differ between countries, airports, and even terminals.
It’s a step in the right direction, and it’s useful if you accidentally bring a larger liquid with you. But don’t make plans based on this, in my opinion.
What do you make of the EU progressively lifting liquids restrictions?