For the first time in nearly two decades, UK travelers will encounter significant changes to liquid regulations at European airports as the European Union finally lifts the long-standing 100ml restriction on liquids in hand luggage. This shift follows the recent removal of the 100ml limit by Birmingham Airport and Edinburgh Airport.
The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) tested the new security screening methods last month, paving the way for their introduction across various airports. Milan Airport in Italy has already begun implementing these new rules in certain areas.
According to official sources, travelers at Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa Terminal 1 can now carry liquids, aerosols, and gels in separate containers with a total capacity of up to 2 liters, without needing to remove them from their hand luggage.
Rome Airport also announced on its website that starting July 26, 2025, new regulations from the European Commission will permit the transport of liquids in containers of up to 2 liters in hand luggage. However, larger containers may only be carried if empty and must be checked in if full.
Amsterdam’s airport is expected to follow suit shortly after the two Italian airports, signaling a broader implementation of these relaxed rules across Europe. Furthermore, last month, the transport committee of the European Parliament voted to allow passengers an additional piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg, pending final approval. This proposed rule would enable travelers to bring one cabin bag (up to 100 cm total dimensions) along with a personal bag, at no extra cost.
In response to the rule changes, a traveler from London City Airport expressed concerns, stating, “It makes it really stressful. You’ve got to get all this stuff out of your bag and feel under pressure to be quick.”
An airport representative noted, “We are getting 30% more passengers through [an hour]. It’s much less stressful from a passenger point of view. The information that’s provided to the security officer is much more enhanced, so the threat detection has improved significantly.”
Travel expert Icky Kelvin, head of travel advice website The Points Guy, advised, “Anybody traveling with hand baggage will need to check what the current trial or rule is for the place they are traveling from and to. If you are a transit passenger, you will need to be even more careful. Of course you can still check a bag in if you need to, but it’s expensive.”
