Last checked: 12 September 2026. The EU has adopted revised air-passenger rules, but they have not yet taken effect. The changes do not mean that every traveller can take a full-size cabin bag for free today. They distinguish a small personal item from other hand baggage and aim to make the price of fares that include hand baggage easier to compare.
Are EU hand-luggage fees banned in 2026?
No blanket ban on charges for larger cabin bags is in force. According to the European Commission’s explanation of the revised rules, airlines will still be able to sell fares without a larger piece of hand baggage. They will have to show a fare that includes hand baggage at the start of booking so passengers can compare the total cost. The Council’s passenger-rights summary also describes a right to one personal item under the new framework. These are different categories: an under-seat personal item is not necessarily the same as an overhead-bin cabin suitcase.
What is the personal-item allowance?
The revised framework sets a common minimum for one personal item that a passenger may bring on board. The Commission describes it as 40 × 30 × 15 cm (approximately 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 inches); the Council says a personal item of that size, or one that fits under the seat in front, should be permitted. Think of a small backpack or handbag rather than assuming a roller case qualifies. The Commission says the agreement does not impose a single EU-wide size standard for larger hand baggage or a universal free allowance for it. Airlines may set reasonable weight limits for the personal item.
For flights booked now: use the allowance and fees shown in your airline’s current fare conditions. Do not treat the revised minimum as an entitlement already operating in September 2026.
When do the revised rules start?
The Council announced final approval on 13 July 2026 and said the updated rules would take effect 12 months and 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. The European Commission has described the timing as next summer. Check the official EU sources for the exact commencement date before relying on the new allowance for a particular journey; approval in 2026 did not make it immediately applicable.
How to compare fares without a baggage surprise
- Check whether the cheapest fare includes only an under-seat personal item or also an overhead-bin bag.
- Read the airline’s exact size and weight limits for both items; they can differ by carrier and fare.
- Compare the total price after adding any cabin bag you need, including charges for booking it later or at the gate.
- Check each carrier separately on a connecting itinerary and keep a copy of the allowance shown at booking.
This issue concerns airline baggage allowances and pricing, not airport security rules for liquids or prohibited items. Those rules should be checked separately for the airports on your route. If a disruption affects your trip, our flight-disruption preparation guide explains why essentials belong in the item you keep with you.
