New screening technology, evolving European Union security rules and headline-grabbing announcements from major hubs mean that flying into holiday favorites like Spain, France and Italy in 2026 looks very different from even a year or two ago. For passengers on Ryanair, Jet2 and other carriers, the biggest changes center on what you can and cannot bring through security, particularly in your hand luggage. Yet, despite reports of liquid limits being scrapped at some airports, restrictions remain in place elsewhere, and certain items are still firmly banned from the cabin. Understanding the patchwork of rules is essential to avoiding confiscations at the checkpoint and surprise fees at the gate.
Why Airline Restrictions Are Changing in 2026
Aviation security rules in Europe are driven primarily by EU‑level regulations, then implemented by individual countries and airports. For nearly two decades, the cornerstone of these rules has been the so‑called 100 milliliter liquid limit, introduced after foiled terror plots involving liquid explosives. That rule capped liquid, gel and aerosol containers carried in hand luggage at 100 ml each, all of them packed into a one‑liter, resealable transparent bag.
In recent years, however, airports across Europe have been installing new C3 or CT (computed tomography) scanners that can create detailed 3D images of cabin baggage. These systems are sophisticated enough to detect threats inside larger liquid containers, which means that in some terminals the original rationale for strict 100 ml caps is disappearing. Airports from Dublin to Krakow, and more recently London Heathrow, have announced the removal or relaxation of the liquid rule after fully rolling out the new machines.
At the same time, the European Commission has moved cautiously, temporarily re‑imposing the 100 ml cap at certain airports when technical or certification issues arose. As of early 2026, the result is a patchwork: some airports allow liquids up to around two liters in a single container, while others still enforce the traditional 100 ml rule. For travelers, the key message is that what you can carry often depends less on the airline and more on the specific airport you are flying from or through.
Core EU Rules: Liquids, Sharp Objects and Dangerous Goods
Regardless of airline, a common baseline of restrictions applies whenever you depart from an airport in the European Union, or from the United Kingdom and other states that broadly align with EU standards. Liquids, aerosols and gels are either subject to the 100 ml rule or to airport‑specific limits where the new scanners are in place. If your departure airport has not publicly announced a change, you should assume the traditional rule still applies.
Under those classic rules, any container over 100 ml must go in checked baggage. It does not matter if the bottle is only half full; security staff work from the labeled capacity, not the actual contents. Medicines that are essential for the journey, as well as baby food and milk, are generally exempt from the 100 ml limit, but you may be asked to show proof of medical need or demonstrate the contents.
Sharp and pointed objects that could be used as weapons are banned from hand luggage across the EU. That category includes knives with blades above a small threshold, many types of scissors, tools like screwdrivers, and hobby equipment such as certain knitting needles or craft blades. These items must be checked or left at home. Explosives, fireworks, flares, combustible paints and many corrosive or toxic substances are prohibited in both cabin and hold luggage entirely. No firearm, stun device or similar weapon can be carried into the cabin, even if legal to own in your country of residence.
Ryanair: What You Cannot Bring On Board in 2026
Ryanair passengers heading to Spain, France, Italy or other European destinations in 2026 face two separate but related sets of limits: security restrictions that apply at the airport, and the airline’s own rules on cabin baggage size and prohibited items. On security, Ryanair does not set the rules itself, but it must comply with the airport’s screening regime. That means liquid and sharp‑item restrictions are the same as for any other airline using that terminal.
Where Ryanair becomes more distinctive is in its approach to what you can bring as hand luggage and how certain objects are classified. The airline continues to prohibit large sporting equipment, such as golf clubs, bats, skis and large fishing rods, from the cabin. These items must be checked in the hold for an additional fee if you want to transport them. Sporting goods that resemble weapons, such as baseball bats or martial arts equipment, are considered unsuitable for carry‑on regardless of size. Even smaller items that technically fit cabin dimensions can be refused if staff decide they pose a safety or security concern.
Ryanair is also strict about the carriage of certain electronic items and batteries. The airline allows personal electronic devices and a limited number of spare lithium batteries or power banks up to 100 watt‑hours each in the cabin. Anything with a battery above that capacity is not permitted either in hand luggage or checked bags. Drones, for example, are allowed only if the batteries remain under the 100 watt‑hour threshold; batteries above that level will be refused completely. Smart bags with non‑removable batteries face additional restrictions, particularly if the battery cannot be removed and carried separately in the cabin.
Jet2: Hand Luggage Rules and Prohibited Items
Jet2’s customer base is heavily oriented toward leisure travelers flying from the United Kingdom to popular holiday spots in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and beyond. As with any airline, security screening at departure airports dictates what is physically allowed to pass into the secure area. Where the 100 ml liquid rule is still active, Jet2 passengers must follow it; where airports have removed or relaxed that rule, such as some UK hubs with fully deployed CT scanners, passengers may be able to carry larger quantities of liquids and keep electronics inside their bags.
However, even when the security technology is more permissive, Jet2 retains control over what can be brought onto the aircraft cabin itself. Oversized liquids may still be checked if they are likely to cause spills or practical issues on board, and alcohol purchased before the flight must usually remain sealed until arrival at your destination. Standard aviation bans on flammable liquids, gas cartridges, corrosives and explosives apply equally to Jet2 passengers. Sharp objects or tools that could be used as weapons remain prohibited in hand luggage.
In terms of batteries and electronics, Jet2 aligns with international air transport guidelines. Most everyday devices such as phones, tablets and laptops are allowed on board, but spare lithium batteries and power banks must be carried in hand luggage, properly protected against short‑circuiting. Large lithium batteries, certain e‑mobility devices and non‑removable battery smart suitcases may be refused. From a practical standpoint, Jet2 encourages passengers to pack anything that might trigger manual inspection in an easily accessible part of their bags, recognizing that some airports still require laptops and liquids to be removed for separate screening.
New Airport Technology and the End of the 100 ml Rule
One of the most confusing aspects of flying in 2026 is the inconsistent way liquid restrictions are being applied, especially for those connecting through multiple airports on the way to Spain, France or Italy. Some major European hubs have completed multimillion‑euro upgrades to CT‑based security lanes and now allow passengers to carry liquids in larger containers, often up to around two liters, without placing them in plastic bags or removing them from hand luggage.
Dublin Airport in Ireland, for example, began rolling out new scanners that allow passengers to leave liquids and electronics in their bags and abolish the 100 ml limit altogether. Krakow in Poland has done the same, and London Heathrow has publicized the end of the 100 ml rule following a major security technology upgrade. In these airports, passengers can pack toiletries and drinks more freely, though they must still respect any airline‑specific restrictions or duty‑free sealing requirements for alcohol and high‑value goods.
Yet not all airports are there yet. Many regional hubs in Spain, France and Italy still rely on traditional X‑ray machines, which means they must enforce the conventional 100 ml limit for liquids and require that laptops, large cameras and other electronics be placed in separate trays. Some airports that initially relaxed rules have had to re‑introduce the cap temporarily while they finalize certification or address technical concerns raised by regulators. The result is that the same passenger may be able to breeze through security with a one‑liter bottle in one direction and have it confiscated on the return journey.
Flying to Spain, France and Italy: Country Nuances to Watch
For travelers planning trips to Spain in 2026, the main thing to understand is that rules may differ between major hubs such as Madrid or Barcelona and smaller coastal or island airports that serve resort destinations. Larger airports are more likely to have partially or fully upgraded security lanes, possibly relaxing liquid rules in certain terminals, while smaller ones may still be using the older systems. Even within the same airport, different terminals or security checkpoints can operate under slightly different procedures depending on whether new scanners are installed.
In France and Italy, the rollout is similarly uneven. Some major Italian airports, including those in Rome and Milan, were among the early adopters of advanced liquid‑screening systems, but they have also had to adjust procedures to align with updated EU guidance. Local authorities periodically publish advisories reminding passengers that until a formal change is clearly announced for a specific terminal, they must continue to abide by the 100 ml rule. Travelers connecting through Paris, Nice, Rome or Milan on low‑cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet need to be particularly alert to signage at security that sets out current limits.
Crucially, EU rules apply only to the airport you are departing from, not necessarily where you are flying to. If you fly from a UK or non‑EU airport that allows two‑liter liquid containers, for instance, you may still run into problems when departing from a smaller EU airport on your way home if you try to take the same bottles through security. This is especially relevant for holidaymakers who buy large bottles of sunscreen, shampoo or olive oil at local supermarkets in Spain, France or Italy and then discover at the airport that those bottles exceed the allowed size for hand luggage.
Commonly Confiscated Items in Hand Luggage in 2026
While liquids remain the headline issue, security staff at airports used by Ryanair, Jet2 and other carriers report that many confiscations involve simple, everyday objects that passengers forget are not allowed. Small pocket knives, souvenir blades, corkscrews, multi‑tools, manicure sets, metal nail files and certain craft scissors are among the most frequently surrendered items. Even if these objects have sentimental or monetary value, security officers are required to remove them if they fall into a prohibited category.
Lighters are another frequent source of confusion. Many European airports and airlines allow a single, small lighter to be carried on the person, but not multiple lighters in a bag. Novelty lighters designed to resemble weapons or other realistic objects are typically banned altogether. Aerosols such as hairspray or deodorant may be allowed in small sizes within the liquid limit, but large spray cans, especially those labeled as flammable, may be removed at the checkpoint or refused at check‑in.
Passengers also regularly run into trouble with power banks and other spare lithium batteries. Regulations restrict not only the number of spares but also their capacity. High‑capacity power banks designed for camping or charging laptops may exceed airline and airport limits, especially if their watt‑hour rating is above 100. These cannot go in checked luggage and may be refused from the cabin entirely. E‑scooter batteries, hoverboard batteries and other large lithium packs are commonly barred from airline transport except under very specific cargo conditions.
Practical Tips for Travelers on Ryanair, Jet2 and Other Carriers
The most effective way to avoid problems at the security checkpoint in 2026 is to plan at the level of individual airports, not airlines alone. Before you pack, check current security guidance for your departure airport and, if you are connecting, any transit airports on your route. Treat liquid restrictions as specific to each airport: if you cannot find a clear statement that the 100 ml limit has been scrapped or altered, assume you must comply with the standard EU rules.
For hand luggage, focus on three questions: what does security allow, what does your airline allow and what will realistically fit under the seat or in the overhead bin without incurring fees. On Ryanair and Jet2, basic fares include relatively small cabin allowances, so even if you can legally bring a two‑liter bottle of shampoo through security at a modernized airport, you may struggle to stow it within the airline’s strict size limits. That in turn might force you to either pay for an upgraded cabin bag or check the item at additional cost.
Finally, remember that security officers and airline ground staff have discretion. Even when a category of item is generally allowed, they may prohibit it if they judge it to be unsafe, disruptive or non‑compliant with detailed regulations. Travelers to Spain, France, Italy and other popular destinations in 2026 should therefore avoid bringing anything sharp, flammable, unusually heavy or powered by large batteries unless they have checked carefully that it is permitted. As new scanners roll out and long‑standing liquid rules are relaxed at more airports, flying within Europe is becoming more convenient, but the basic principle remains unchanged: if in doubt, leave it out or pack it in the hold.