Gulping down your water bottle just before security, only to remember the nail scissors in your backpack? We've all been there. To help you get through security relaxed, we've summarised the most important hand luggage rules for 2026 – from the 100 ml rule and the new CT scanners to power banks. And of course we'll reveal the cleverest way to pack your hand luggage with an All-time Favourites shopper.
Liquids: the 100 ml rule still applies
Since 2006, EU-wide rules state that liquids may only be carried in hand luggage in containers of 100 ml maximum, packed in a transparent, resealable 1-litre bag. Anything creamy or spreadable counts as a liquid, including toothpaste, mascara, roll-on deodorant and even that jar of Nutella you're bringing as a gift.
Three exceptions may exceed the limit: liquid medication (with a prescription or medical certificate), baby food for the journey and duty-free purchases in a sealed security bag. It's best to present these items separately at security to avoid problems.
New CT scanners: up to 2 litres allowed at some airports
Since 2026, more and more airports have been upgrading to modern CT scanners that screen luggage in three dimensions. At these security lanes, liquids in containers of up to 2 litres are allowed, and your laptop and toiletry bag can stay in your bag. In Germany, such lanes can be found in Frankfurt, Munich and at BER, among others, though usually only at some of the checkpoints.
Our tip: when in doubt, keep packing according to the 100 ml rule. After all, you often don't know in advance which lane you'll go through, and the old rule may still apply at the airport for your return flight. Pack conservatively and there'll be no surprises.
What's allowed in hand luggage and what isn't?
- Power banks and spare batteries: hand luggage only, never in your suitcase, with a maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours
- E-cigarettes: also cabin only; using them on board is prohibited
- Lighter: one per person is allowed, carried on your person
- Nail scissors and manicure sets: allowed, as long as the blade is no longer than 6 cm
- Laptop, tablet, camera: allowed; at conventional security lanes, place them separately in the tray
- Not allowed: knives and blades over 6 cm, tools, sports rackets and anything that could serve as a weapon
How to pack your hand luggage cleverly
Place everything you need to show at security on top: the transparent bag, your laptop and your tablet. That's exactly why we love the large shopper with zip: it opens wide, you can see everything at a glance, and with our packing cubes every item has its fixed place. Your liquids travel in style in a matching toiletry bag that clicks into place inside the shopper.
Which bag is allowed in the cabin at all, and which dimensions the airlines permit in 2026, is covered in our article “Which bag as hand luggage?”. Until then: have a good flight!
Bags Bigger Than Life.