The change is possible thanks to new C3/CT security scanners, which create detailed three-dimensional images of cabin baggage contents. Where the technology has been fully installed and approved, security staff can examine liquids and electronic devices without passengers necessarily having to remove them from their bags.

But there is an important catch for anyone packing for a European holiday: the rules are not the same at every airport.

The familiar 100ml restriction remains in place at many airports and even individual terminals, meaning travellers need to check the rules for their departure airport, any connecting airport and their return journey.

Where are the rules changing?

Airports reported to allow liquid containers of up to 2 litres include Rome Fiumicino, Vienna, Dublin, Billund, Malta, Palma de Mallorca, and Kraków, as well as a number of airports in the UK.

Implementation can vary even within the same country. Palma de Mallorca is among the Spanish airports where the new system is fully operational. At the same time, Málaga has a more limited implementation, and other major Spanish airports continue to apply traditional restrictions.

The new scanners can also make the security process considerably less cumbersome. At appropriately equipped checkpoints, laptops, tablets and toiletries can remain inside cabin baggage rather than being placed separately into security trays.

Don’t throw away the travel bottles yet

For now, the safest approach remains to check before travelling.

The general European rule continues to restrict liquids to individual containers of no more than 100ml, usually carried inside a transparent one-litre bag, unless passengers are passing through an airport operating approved scanners under the newer rules.

The new relaxed rules create a potential problem on return journeys. A passenger might leave from an airport allowing a two-litre bottle through security, only to discover that the airport they are flying home from still operates the 100ml limit.

The rollout of CT scanners is continuing across Europe during 2026, so the number of airports offering more relaxed rules is expected to grow.

Until the technology is widespread, however, travellers should check the official security information for every airport on their itinerary before deciding to leave the miniature toiletries at home.

For the moment, the 100ml bottle isn’t quite ready for retirement.

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