EU liquid limits vary by airport. The default is still 100ml containers in one 1-litre bag, but airports with approved C3 scanners, such as Dublin, allow up to 2 litres. Small knives with blades of 6cm or less are not specifically banned by the EU list, unlike in the US, where knives of any size are banned. Meat and dairy from outside the EU are prohibited at the border.
Checked against official pages on . Authority: European Commission (DG MOVE) under Regulation (EC) 300/2008 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998; EASA for dangerous goods guidance; national aviation authorities.
Liquids
The standard EU rule is a 100ml maximum per container, with all containers in one transparent resealable bag of up to 1 litre. Airports with approved next-generation (C3) scanners may allow larger containers, so the limit depends on the airport.
- The Commission's traveller guidance sets the baseline: 100ml containers in one clear resealable bag of no more than 1 litre.
- Medicines and special dietary products, including baby food, are exempt.
- In July 2024 the Commission returned airports using certain explosive detection scanners to the 100ml limit from 1 September 2024. It said this fixed a technical issue and was not a response to a new threat.
- Since then, some airports with upgraded scanners have relaxed the rule again. Dublin Airport, for example, has allowed up to 2 litres in hand luggage, with no plastic bag, in both terminals since 17 September 2025.
- Rules can differ between airports and even between terminals of the same airport. Check your departure airport and any transit airport.
- Duty-free liquids bought at EU airports or on EU airlines are allowed if they stay sealed in a tamper-evident security bag with proof of purchase.
Lighters and matches
Under the ICAO dangerous goods rules applied in EU states, you may carry one small lighter or one small packet of safety matches, on your person only. Neither may go in checked baggage.
- The lighter must not contain liquid fuel that is not absorbed.
- This comes from a national EU authority, Lithuania's Transport Safety Administration. The EU security list of prohibited cabin items does not address lighters.
Knives, scissors and sharp items
Knives with blades longer than 6cm are banned from the cabin, and scissors are allowed only if each blade is 6cm or shorter, measured from the pivot.
- Razor blades, box cutters, axes, cleavers, ice picks and swords are banned from the cabin.
- Tools with a blade or shaft over 6cm, such as screwdrivers and chisels, are banned from the cabin.
- Screeners can still refuse any object they judge to be dangerous.
Source: European Commission: List of prohibited articles in hand luggage (PDF)
Batteries and power banks
Power banks and spare lithium batteries must go in cabin baggage, never checked. Batteries up to 100Wh are allowed, those from 100Wh to 160Wh need airline approval, and anything over 160Wh is prohibited. EASA says power banks should not be recharged on board or used to power devices during the flight.
- Protect spare batteries against short circuits, for example by taping the terminals or bagging each battery.
- Many EU airlines set stricter limits on how many power banks you can carry and when you can use them. Check with your airline.
Source: EASA: More practical information, Lithium batteries; EASA press release of 28 May 2025
Food
At security, liquid or soft foods count as liquids. Arriving in the EU from outside it, travellers may not bring in meat, milk or products made from them.
- Exception: powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods needed for medical reasons are allowed, up to 2kg in total. They must not need refrigeration before opening and must be in branded packaging that is unopened unless in use.
- Fish is allowed up to 20kg. Other animal products, such as honey, are allowed up to 2kg.
- These limits do not apply to travel between EU member states, or to arrivals from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Switzerland.
Source: European Commission (Food Safety): About personal imports
Medication
Essential medicines over 100ml are allowed for use during the trip. You may be asked to prove they are genuine.
- Exempt medicines do not need to fit in the 1-litre bag, but they will still be screened.