The 100 ml Rule — What the Law Actually Says and Why It Exists
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The restriction on liquids in hand luggage has been in force in Europe since 2006. It was introduced following the foiling of a terrorist plot in the UK, in which attackers planned to carry explosive materials on board concealed inside drinks bottles.
Official EU rules (Regulation 1546/2006, updated 2024/1257):
- Each liquid container may hold a maximum of 100 ml.
- All containers must fit inside one transparent bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre (approximately 20 × 20 cm).
- One bag per person — this applies to children too.
- The bag must be resealable (zip-lock or similar closure).
- At security, the bag must be taken out of your hand luggage and placed separately on the X-ray belt.
Important: it's the container capacity that counts, not the amount of liquid inside it. A 200 ml bottle that's half full (100 ml of liquid) will not pass security — the container is too large.
What does the EU consider a "liquid"? It's a broader category than you might expect. It includes:
- Water, drinks, juices
- Creams, lotions, shower gels
- Pastes (including toothpaste)
- Spray and roll-on deodorants
- Perfumes and colognes
- Mascara, liquid foundations, lip gloss
- Hair gels, shaving foam
- Yoghurt, hummus, jams, honey
- Soups, sauces
General rule: if a product is liquid, gel, cream, foam, or paste — it counts as a liquid.
What You Can Bring — Full List with Examples
| Category | Permitted (up to 100 ml) | Not permitted (> 100 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal hygiene | Travel toothpaste, travel shampoo, small deodorant, travel body lotion | Standard toothpaste (125 ml), full-size shampoo, large spray deodorant |
| Cosmetics | Mini foundation, lip gloss, small mascara, perfume (30 ml), travel face cream | 150 ml foundation bottle, large perfume (100 ml+), 200 ml cream jar |
| Food and drink | Honey sachet (up to 100 ml), small jam jar, small water bottle (up to 100 ml) | 500 ml water bottle, large honey jar, big yoghurt |
| Medicines | Liquid medicine in bottles up to 100 ml, eye drops, nasal spray | Large medicine bottle (200 ml)* |
| Electronics | E-cigarette cartridges (up to 100 ml) | Large e-liquid bottles |
*Medicines in larger containers may be exempt — see the exceptions section below.
Smart solutions:
- Buy reusable travel containers (a set of 10 × 100 ml costs around €5–10) and decant your favourite products.
- Use hotel sample cosmetics — typically 30–50 ml, perfect for carry-on.
- Solid cosmetics (solid shampoo bars, stick deodorant, bar soap) are not liquids and are not subject to restrictions.
Exceptions: Medicines, Baby Milk, and Children's Food
Certain liquids are exempt from the 100 ml rule. You must declare them at the security checkpoint:
Medicines:
- Liquid medicines (syrups, drops, insulin) may exceed 100 ml if you have a prescription or medical certificate.
- Insulin and other medicines requiring cooling may be carried with an insulated bag.
- In practice: security staff usually don't question medicines of a reasonable volume (e.g. a 200 ml syrup). For larger quantities they may ask for documentation.
Baby milk and infant food:
- Breast milk, formula, water for preparing formula, and baby food (pouches and jars) are exempt from the 100 ml limit.
- Condition: you must be travelling with the child (infant or young child).
- Security staff may ask you to taste or sample the milk or food in their presence.
Liquids purchased in airside duty-free:
- Liquids bought after security (in the duty-free zone) are not subject to the 100 ml limit.
- They must be sealed in a tamper-evident duty-free bag with the receipt visible inside.
- Caution on connections: see the separate section below.
How to Pack Liquids Safely — Bags, Containers, Tips
A few practical pointers to make your security experience quick and smooth:
Buy a dedicated zip-lock bag. A transparent 20 × 20 cm bag is available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and airports. Some airports provide free bags before security, but don't count on it — bring your own.
Pack liquids near the top of your bag. You must take the bag out at security — if it's buried at the bottom, the check will take longer and you'll hold up the queue.
Don't overstuff it. The bag must close properly. If you're cramming 12 containers and the bag is bulging at the seams, security may reject it.
Label your containers. If you're decanting products into travel bottles, label them. A clear liquid without a label can raise questions — staff may request additional inspection.
Consider solid alternatives. Solid shampoo bars, stick deodorants, bar soap — these are not subject to the liquid rule and save space in your bag.
What Happens When Security Finds a Prohibited Liquid?
The procedure is straightforward and generally without serious consequence:
- The X-ray scanner flags a suspicious item. The operator sees the outline of an oversized container on screen.
- Your bag goes to a secondary check. A security agent opens the bag and identifies the liquid.
- You have two options:
- Discard the liquid — into a dedicated bin next to security. This is permanent; you won't get it back.
- Return and check it into your hold baggage — if you have time and hold luggage. In practice this is rarely feasible, as it requires going back through the entire check-in process.
You will not face any penalty. Carrying a liquid over 100 ml in hand luggage is not a criminal or civil offence — security will simply confiscate it. No fine, no record.
How long does it take? An additional manual check typically takes 2–5 minutes. It's not worth risking a missed flight over a bottle of water — but equally, no need to panic.
Most commonly confiscated items (airport statistics):
- Water bottles (number one — passengers forget they have one in their bag)
- Full-size toothpaste (125–150 ml)
- Spray deodorants (200 ml)
- Jams and honeys bought on holiday (over 100 ml)
Liquids Bought After Security — Why You Might Lose Them at Your Connection
This is one of the most frustrating airport rules — and the source of countless disputes at transit airports:
Scenario: you buy a bottle of wine (750 ml) in duty-free at Airport A. You board your flight. You land at Airport B, where you have a connection. At Airport B you must pass through security again. The wine bottle does not meet the 100 ml limit — it gets confiscated.
When does this happen?
- Connection within the Schengen Area → no re-screening → your bottle is safe.
- Connection with a flight outside the Schengen Area (e.g. via London) → re-screening → risk of confiscation.
- Connection in a non-EU country → re-screening → almost certain confiscation.
How to protect yourself:
- Don't buy large liquids in duty-free if you have a connection that involves re-screening.
- If you must — make sure the duty-free bag is sealed and the receipt is visible inside. Some airports respect sealed duty-free bags, but there is no guarantee.
- Best approach: buy liquids in duty-free at your last airport before your final destination.
FAQ
1. Can I bring water on a plane?
Yes, but in a container of 100 ml or less. In practice, no one bothers with a 100 ml water bottle — most travellers buy water after security (in the departure lounge) or refill an empty bottle at a water fountain (many European airports have free drinking water points past security).
2. Is toothpaste a liquid?
Yes — toothpaste is classified as a paste/gel and is subject to the 100 ml rule. A standard 75 ml tube will pass. A 125 ml tube will not. Solution: buy a travel-size tube or decant some into a smaller container.
3. Can I bring food in carry-on luggage?
Dry food (sandwiches, fruit, snacks, chocolate) — yes, without restriction. Liquid, gel, or cream-based food (yoghurt, hummus, soup, jam, peanut butter) — subject to the 100 ml rule. On international connections, customs restrictions on food products (meat, dairy, fresh produce) may also apply.
4. Will the 100 ml rule ever be lifted?
Possibly, but not yet. In 2023–2024, several European airports tested CT scanners capable of identifying liquids precisely without requiring them to be removed from bags. Airports including Dublin and some Helsinki terminals temporarily lifted the restriction, but in 2024 the EU reinstated the limit due to concerns about scanner reliability. Status in 2026: the 100 ml rule is fully in force.
5. How many containers can I fit in my liquids bag?
There is no limit on the number of containers — only on the total bag capacity (1 litre). In practice you can fit 6–10 × 100 ml containers depending on their shape. Smaller containers (30, 50, 75 ml) allow you to pack more products into the same space.
6. Is a stick deodorant a liquid?
No — a solid stick deodorant is classified as a solid product and is not subject to the 100 ml rule. You can bring it without restriction. However, a spray deodorant, roll-on, or gel deodorant counts as a liquid and must fit within 100 ml.
7. What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your flight is cancelled or delayed by 3 hours or more, you are entitled to compensation under EC 261/2004 — from €250 to €600 depending on the flight distance. Services like AirHelp let you check for free whether your flight qualifies. Just enter your flight number and date — the check takes minutes, and claims can be submitted for flights up to several years in the past depending on your country's limitation period.
What if your flight is delayed?
Even the best-planned trip can be disrupted by a flight delay or cancellation. Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, you may be entitled to up to €600 per person in compensation. Use our compensation calculator to check your claim in minutes, or read our complete guide to EC 261/2004 to understand your rights.