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.
In this post:
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?
When the new machines came out in Malta, we quickly got on board with it. Not confusing at all. The only trouble was when a return trip commenced in airport without the approved equipment.
Europe definitely leads the way. Start with EU261 and the fact that we never suffered from shoes off to on. And they are finalizing number, size and weight of carry-on bags.
Sanity prevails.
It is very simple: if the airport isn't willing to invest in new technology, they are the ones to blame.
Except that the restrictions continue to apply even at many airports that did invest.
This will be messy. They should either fully open allowing liquids or not. Most people won't take the risk.
Until it works with anal devices.
Last month, I forgot a 750 ml Evian bottle in my backpack when passing through CDG security. They put it in a machine, then gave it back to me!!
Good. The liquid ban was overwrought and needlessly punitive. And here, the TSA has no business policing liquids when they can't catch 70-95% of the guns brought through via pressure testing. It's 2025, technology exists to determine threats without putting Ma and Pa Kettle through the wringer.
While a phased rollout might not be entirely clear to travelers, it's good news nonetheless.
I've just flown out of my home airport, PRG, and not having to take out liquids or electronics is a refreshing change for the better. I still had to chug my refillable water bottle just before security, but hopefully that goes away as the next gen scanners get certified.
That in itself is the biggest issue. Once people no longer have to frantically repack while queuing and/or get pulled aside because they forgot to bag that 15ml hand cream from the last hotel/airline, the process will get significantly quicker and easier for everyone involved.
Airports will lose revenue though. That time margin that people take to pass through security is actually monetized in the post-screening shops. If security returns to the breeze it was, airport shopping may as well return to what it was: nothing.
I don't really know how things work in other places, but I'm certain that the majority of retail shops at European airports are loss-making. Duty free places with overpriced chocolates and decent whisky offers may turn a profit, but the branded clothing etc shops are completely empty 95% of the time and are mostly there for marketing/'prestige' purposes.
Bars and restaurants may lose a bit of trade, but I am not convinced that the losses...
I don't really know how things work in other places, but I'm certain that the majority of retail shops at European airports are loss-making. Duty free places with overpriced chocolates and decent whisky offers may turn a profit, but the branded clothing etc shops are completely empty 95% of the time and are mostly there for marketing/'prestige' purposes.
Bars and restaurants may lose a bit of trade, but I am not convinced that the losses would be significant enough to destroy their business models and/or cause a huge deficit for airport budgets when rents are reviewed.
One the broader scope of easing of restrictions, I wonder how they'll make it easier for known travelers such as those with PreCheck to go through security checks without bypassing security altogether.
One of my guesses would be separate tunnel separate from the general traveling public where you can just waltz through without having to take anything out of your person or putting anything on the belt.
There's no such thing as 'known travellers' in the EU. Diplomatic passport holders, airline crew and business class/elite passengers have access to priority queues which lead to the same checkpoints. The real difference can be made by airports clarifying any restrictions to passengers before they join the queue.
Fair, but I guess I should've been more clear; if and when the U.S. starts easing restrictions, I wonder how PreCheck would work for those passengers who have it. If everyone can lease their shoes on, the restrictions on liquids are lifted, would that make PreCheck moot or am I missing something?
I'm afraid, I can't see how this might be rolled out "less confusingly". It appears that only certain machines, software and tray configurations have successfully passed the test to detect critical in liquids and are therefore certified. Additionally, we need to bear in mind that it takes between 3 and 4 years for such a machine to be delivered, i.e., those which are getting installed right now have been ordered in 2022. The only more...
I'm afraid, I can't see how this might be rolled out "less confusingly". It appears that only certain machines, software and tray configurations have successfully passed the test to detect critical in liquids and are therefore certified. Additionally, we need to bear in mind that it takes between 3 and 4 years for such a machine to be delivered, i.e., those which are getting installed right now have been ordered in 2022. The only more simplistic solution would be to ban liquids until all airports have received certified machines - which might never happen, because those airports which installed new scanners that are not receiving the certificate, will be reluctant to replace them any time soon.
Last week at STR they still insisted to put my liquids into a plastic zip loc bag lol
I think the US should be able to allow liquid in carry-on for at least the Pre-check folks today.
What’s the reason liquids were banned? Does the threat still exist? Is it practical? Are politics practical? Maybe my 32oz water bottle is an ok limit? Can that be a new arbitrary number?
I think they were put in effect in 2006 after police (I don’t remember from which country) found out a plot to bring bombs inside airplanes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_repercussions_due_to_the_2006_transatlantic_aircraft_plot
It is not fully correct that it is only Smiths machines, it is ONLY Smiths HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, with the new software update (20-71-00). They are approving a specific hardware, with a specific software, one at a time. The updated list can be seen here: https://ksda.ec.europa.eu/public/security-equipments?status=ACTIVE&equipmentName=EDSCB&manufacturerName=Smiths&standard=C3
Gatwick has dropped the restriction, but it's still in place at Heathrow.
Heathrow's is super fustrating.
Most of the machines have been replaced but not all and so no one can bring through their liquids. It surely would've been easier to change it terminal by terminal so that at the very least specific terminals could have the restrictions eased (possibly going highest passenger count to lowest). Don't advertise it untill all terminals are converted but frequent and savvy flyers would know and so wouldn't have to...
Heathrow's is super fustrating.
Most of the machines have been replaced but not all and so no one can bring through their liquids. It surely would've been easier to change it terminal by terminal so that at the very least specific terminals could have the restrictions eased (possibly going highest passenger count to lowest). Don't advertise it untill all terminals are converted but frequent and savvy flyers would know and so wouldn't have to fret about the liquid restrictions.
Having used the new machines in BHX (they had them last May!) it's now annoying to have to take everything out and put it in a plastic bag (still doesn't make sense to me) when you go through LHR.
I have been seeing this “we could take this when we flew here” repeatedly during peak summer vacation periods for the second summer in a row, but it’s not any worse than it used to be with people who don’t know any better and don’t understand why it’s different requirements at different airports within the EU/EEA. But even within some countries things have been inconsistent — for example, how small Swedish airports have been more...
I have been seeing this “we could take this when we flew here” repeatedly during peak summer vacation periods for the second summer in a row, but it’s not any worse than it used to be with people who don’t know any better and don’t understand why it’s different requirements at different airports within the EU/EEA. But even within some countries things have been inconsistent — for example, how small Swedish airports have been more fussy about the plastic bags used for liquids than say Stockholm-Arlanda airport,
Will that mean extra security at gates for US bound flights until TSA changes policy?
Let's hope so
No, at least not because of this — unless the US backs out of the one-stop security agreements of which we are already part of with European countries.
GUWonder is right. No extra check at the gate due to this. What you might consider is if you fly to the US and have a connection there you have to take into account TSA's rules. Since at the port of entry you go through immigration, pick up your checked baggage (if any), go through customs, recheck your baggage and then you need to go through a security checkpoint before heading to your connecting gate....
GUWonder is right. No extra check at the gate due to this. What you might consider is if you fly to the US and have a connection there you have to take into account TSA's rules. Since at the port of entry you go through immigration, pick up your checked baggage (if any), go through customs, recheck your baggage and then you need to go through a security checkpoint before heading to your connecting gate. Why? You could've taken something out of your checked baggage which is not allowed in your carryon.
It appears that at FCO Airport in Rome, liquid restrictions are in place for flights to the US and Israel.
According to their website: Security screening procedures remain unchanged for flights bound for the USA or Israel, which use traditional X-ray machines. These require the separation of liquids (containers of up to 100 ml, placed in a transparent plastic bag of up to 1L) and electrical/electronic devices from hand luggage.
But it doesn't seem to...
It appears that at FCO Airport in Rome, liquid restrictions are in place for flights to the US and Israel.
According to their website: Security screening procedures remain unchanged for flights bound for the USA or Israel, which use traditional X-ray machines. These require the separation of liquids (containers of up to 100 ml, placed in a transparent plastic bag of up to 1L) and electrical/electronic devices from hand luggage.
But it doesn't seem to be the case at Milan's Terminal 1, which has removed liquid restrictions and has the big names from the US like Delta, AA, and United. Very confusing.
FCO and MXP have a decades old history of Italy sometimes having “extra security” for flights to the UK, US and Israel.
"which use traditional X-ray machines" says it all.