Is the 100 ml rule still applicable in 2026?

Yes. The 100 ml rule remains the EU-wide standard. At selected security lanes equipped with CT scanners in Frankfurt and Munich, passengers may now carry liquids of up to 2 litres – however, the 100 ml rule remains in effect at all other security checkpoints and airports.

Can I take toothpaste or deodorant in my hand luggage?

Yes, provided the container holds a maximum of 100 ml. This also applies to creams, gels, hairspray and other pasty or creamy products. All containers must be placed in the 1-litre clear plastic bag.

How much liquid can I take for babies?

There is no quantity limit for baby food and breast milk, provided they are needed during the journey. The same applies to liquid baby food.

What happens to duty-free liquids when making a connecting flight?

Within the EU, you may take them in the sealed STEB bag. When connecting outside the EU, different rules may apply – the STEB bag may be confiscated there.

Liquids in Hand Luggage 2026: 100ml Rule & Tips

Q: What applies to liquid medicines?

Medicines that you need during your journey may be carried in your hand luggage even if they exceed 100 ml. Take them in their original packaging with the package insert and ideally a short medical certificate.

Q: Can I take an empty water bottle through security?

Yes. A completely empty bottle is not a liquid and will be accepted. After passing through security, you can refill it for free at water dispensers at almost every airport.

Updated: 20th April 2026 · EU-wide security regulations for liquids are currently changing gradually with the introduction of new CT scanners. We update this article continuously – for binding information please check bundespolizei.de or your departure airport's website before travelling.

How much liquid can you actually take on board a flight? And does the 100ml rule still apply in 2026? The answer is: yes – with a few important exceptions. At some German airports like Frankfurt and Munich, thanks to new CT scanners at certain security lanes, you can now take up to 2 litres of liquids. In this guide, we'll show you when which rule applies, which liquids are allowed without any limit, and how to save time at security control.

The 100ml rule for hand luggage – how it works

Since 2006, EU-wide regulations state: liquids in hand luggage are only allowed in small quantities. The rule is simple and easy to remember:

Shampoo & shower gelmax. 100ml per container
Toothpaste & mouthwashalso counts as liquid
Deodorant spray, perfumeup to 100ml, can incl. propellant
Liquid make-up, lipstickpowder foundations are exempt
Creams, lotion, gelsunscreen, hand cream, hair gel
Contact lens solutionlarger quantities with medical certificate

Drink bottles > 100mldrink or dispose before security
Alcohol > 70% ABVgenerally forbidden, even in suitcase
Sprays > 100mlhairspray, insect spray, cleaners
Lighter fuel, gasdangerous goods – generally forbidden
Nail polish remover (acetone)forbidden in larger quantities
Sauerkraut, yoghurt, soups> 100ml count as liquids

Exceptions allowed additionally: Baby food in required quantities, essential medicines (with prescription or certificate) and duty-free purchases in sealed STEB bags with receipt – all three outside the 1-litre bag.

Max. 100ml per container (the printed capacity is decisive, not the fill level)
All containers together in one transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 litre
One bag per person – and it must be able to close completely
Take the bag out of your hand luggage separately at security control and place it in the tray

Important: Even if your 200ml container is only half full – it will be confiscated. The printed capacity is always decisive. For travel, it's worth investing in reusable 100ml travel bottles that you can refill before each flight.

What actually counts as "liquid"?

The term is broader than many think. According to the Federal Police, anything that is liquid, viscous, gel-like, creamy or of similar consistency at room temperature falls under the 100ml rule. These candidates are most often forgotten:

Toothpaste, hand cream, sunscreen, lip balm
Mascara, nail polish, eyeliner, foundation (liquid)
Hair gel, hairspray, styling mousse, shaving foam, shaving gel
Roll-on deodorant, deodorant spray, perfume, eau de toilette
Contact lens solution, eye drops
Yoghurt, jam, honey, mustard, chocolate spread
Water, juice, soft drinks and tea bottles (even opened)
Tins with liquid contents, soups

The 1-litre clear bag – requirements

The bag isn't just a detail – it's mandatory. If it's not shown, your liquids could end up in the bin:

Material: transparent so contents are visible
Volume: maximum 1 litre (approx. 20 × 20 cm or 15 × 25 cm)
Closure: resealable (zipper or press seal, not a knot)
Number: one bag per person
Condition: fully closeable – if it bulges, you need to repack

Standard freezer bags with zippers work just as well as the officially offered bags at airports. A reusable flight bag set is the more sustainable and practical option – many models include matching refill bottles.

Exception 1: Baby food

If you're travelling with an infant or toddler, liquids without quantity restrictions are permitted as long as they're needed for the journey:

Breast milk, infant formula, drinking water for babies
Liquid baby food (purees, jars, juice)
More than 100ml per container is possible

Security staff may test samples randomly – so expect a brief test or smell check. It's best to voluntarily declare baby food when placing it in the tray.

Exception 2: Medicines

Liquid medicines that you need during the journey are also allowed over 100ml in hand luggage. These include:

Insulin + accessories
Asthma inhalers
Nasal sprays, cough syrup, liquid painkillers
Eye drops, ear drops
Special dietary food for allergies or illnesses

Tip: Carry the original packaging with patient information leaflet if possible and get a brief certificate from your doctor – especially for larger quantities or pre-filled syringes, this significantly speeds up control. An English-language certificate is worth its weight in gold when travelling outside the EU.

Exception 3: Duty-free purchases (STEB)

Liquids purchased duty-free after security control (wine, spirits, perfume etc.) may be transported in hand luggage even over 100ml. The key is the STEB (Security Tamper Evident Bag) – this is the sealed bag with red border that you get at the till:

Bag must not be opened until final destination
Purchase receipt remains visible in the bag
When connecting outside the EU (e.g. Dubai, Istanbul), the STEB can still be confiscated in transit – different rules apply there
When connecting within the EU, you declare the sealed bag so it can be repackaged in a new STEB

CT scanners: Up to 2 litres at FRA and MUC

Since 2024/2025, several German airports have modern computer tomography scanners (CT) in operation that can reliably detect liquids. At these security lanes, you may take liquids up to a total of 2 litres and no longer need to unpack laptops and liquids:

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

CT scanners currently in areas A and Z and at selected lanes
Terminal 3 opens in spring 2026 completely with new technology
You can see if your lane has CT scanners from the sign before control

Munich Airport (MUC)

Terminal 2: central control for gates G and H completely upgraded
Satellite terminal (gates K and L) also complete
15 control lanes without unpacking requirement since April 2025

Attention: The extended rules only apply at the approved CT lanes. Other terminals or controls at the same airport may still apply the 100ml rule. At airports like BER, HAM, DUS, STR or CGN, the classic 100ml rule applies throughout. When in doubt, always plan with 100ml – then you won't experience any nasty surprises.

Security control: How it works with liquids

Before control: Remove flight bag from hand luggage and keep ready
Place in tray: bag open, possibly declare baby food and medicines separately
Laptops and large electronics separately (except at CT lanes)
After scanning: pack bag away again, continue to gate

You save noticeable time if you pack neatly at home: one grab for the flight bag instead of hectic unpacking in the queue. Travellers who only travel with hand luggage particularly benefit from this.

What's better in checked luggage

Not everything liquid needs to go in hand luggage. For these items, checked luggage is usually more relaxed:

Full shampoo, shower and cream bottles
Brought olive oil, wine, jam jars from holidays
Large perfume bottles
Cleaning and washing products (generally recommended)
Homemade items if not decanted into 100ml portions

Attention: There are also quantity limits for alcohol in checked luggage (over 70% ABV not permitted, 24–70% up to 5 litres per person) and complete bans on lighter fuel, spray cartridges or highly flammable substances.

Comparison: Liquids with airlines

The 100ml rule is legally prescribed EU-wide – it applies equally to every airline. Differences only exist in hand luggage dimensions:

Airline	Liquid rule	Flight bag requirement
Ryanair	max. 100ml per container	1-litre bag
Lufthansa	max. 100ml per container	1-litre bag
Eurowings	max. 100ml per container	1-litre bag
Easyjet	max. 100ml per container	1-litre bag
Wizz Air	max. 100ml per container	1-litre bag

For the exact hand luggage dimensions of individual airlines, it's worth looking at our guides: Ryanair Hand Luggage 2026 and the Airport Process.

Checklist: Liquids for your next flight

Buy reusable 100ml bottles or take travel set
Decant toiletry bag into 100ml portions (shampoo, shower gel, cream)
Prepare 1-litre zipper bag
Pack medicines + certificate + original packaging
With baby: food without quantity limit, mention at check-in
Leave duty-free purchases in STEB bag until destination airport
At airport: store flight bag at top of hand luggage for quick access

Frequently asked questions about liquids in hand luggage

Does the 100ml rule still apply in 2026?

Yes. The 100ml rule remains the EU-wide standard. At selected security lanes with CT scanners in Frankfurt and Munich, passengers can now take liquids up to 2 litres – at all other controls and airports the 100ml rule continues to apply.

Can I take toothpaste or deodorant in hand luggage?

Yes, provided the container holds a maximum of 100ml. This also applies to creams, gels, hairspray and other paste-like or creamy products. All containers must be stored in the 1-litre clear bag.

How much liquid can I take with babies?

There's no quantity limit for baby food and breast milk, as long as it's needed during the journey. The same applies to liquid baby food. Security staff may test samples randomly – declare the liquids when placing them in the tray.

What applies to liquid medicines?

Medicines you need during the journey may go in hand luggage even over 100ml. Take them in original packaging with patient information leaflet and ideally a brief medical certificate – for travel outside the EU in English.

What happens to duty-free liquids during transit?

Within the EU you may take them in the sealed STEB bag. When transiting outside the EU (e.g. Dubai, London, Istanbul), different rules sometimes apply – the STEB can be confiscated there. Check your transit airport's website beforehand.

Can I take an empty water bottle through security control?

Yes. A completely empty bottle is not a liquid and is accepted. After control you can refill it free of charge at water fountains at almost every airport – saves money and plastic.