Zurich has abolished the 100 ml limit: what does this mean for Hungarian travelers?

From June 26, 2026, passengers departing from Zurich Airport who undergo security checks locally will be able to carry liquid containers up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage. The change is linked to the airport's new CT-based security screening system and may make departure more convenient for those flying from Switzerland. However, this is not a general European easing: the 100 ml limit still applies to transfer passengers in Zurich, and different regulations may be encountered on the return journey or at another transfer airport.

This news is important for Hungarian travelers as well, because Zurich is a popular business and city-visit destination, and many use it as a Swiss or Western European transfer point. For those flying from Budapest to Zurich or from Vienna to Zurich, the carry-on rules may already influence the planning of the trip, regarding what is worth taking on board, what should be placed in checked luggage, and how much time should be allowed for security checks.

What has changed at Zurich Airport?

According to the official announcement from Zurich Airport, the change took effect on June 26, 2026. From this date, passengers who start their journey in Zurich and pass through the security check at the Security Control Building can carry liquid containers up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage. This is a significant departure from the 100 ml rule still common at many airports, where smaller bottles must be presented in a transparent, resealable, maximum 1-liter bag.

The easing is not only about the permitted amount. Based on information from Zurich Airport, liquids and electronic devices do not need to be taken out of the bag in the affected security lanes according to the new procedure. This can be particularly convenient for those carrying laptops, tablets, multiple chargers, cosmetics, drinks for children, or personal items needed for longer trips.

The change was made possible by new CT scanners performing three-dimensional analysis. These devices provide a more detailed image of the carry-on luggage contents, allowing security personnel to check liquids and electronic devices more reliably without every passenger having to pack them on a separate tray. According to the airport, with the decommissioning of traditional screening equipment, all 26 lanes in the main security control building will switch to the new technology.

Who does the new 2-liter rule apply to?

The most important detail: the easing applies to so-called local passengers departing from Zurich. That is, the passenger who starts their flight journey in Zurich, checks in their luggage there or passes through the carry-on check there, and uses the main security control area. If someone, for example, flies home to Budapest, Vienna, or a third country from Zurich Airport after a few days' Swiss trip, the Zurich easing regarding 2-liter liquid containers may apply to them.

The situation is different for transfer passengers. Zurich Airport specifically highlighted that the transfer security areas and some special screening processes have not yet received the same CT technology. Therefore, for passengers only transferring in Zurich, the previous rule remains in effect: liquids may be carried in containers up to 100 ml in carry-on luggage, and they must be packed in a transparent, resealable, 1-liter bag. This is particularly important if someone is traveling from Budapest or Vienna via Zurich to another destination.

The return journey rules must also be handled with caution. Just because larger liquid containers are now permitted in Zurich, another airport may still adhere to the 100 ml limit. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation also draws attention to the fact that the use of CT scanners is spreading, but is not yet general. The security regulations of the departing and returning airports of a route, as well as a transfer point, may differ from each other.

What can passengers now carry in their carry-on luggage?

The essence of the Zurich rule is that passengers departing locally can carry liquid containers up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage. In practice, this may affect drinks, shampoos, shower gels, creams, perfumes, liquid medications, contact lens solution, or other liquid products needed during travel. The easing does not mean that every item is automatically permitted: dangerous, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise prohibited substances still cannot be taken on board.

There is also a particularly important exception: double-walled bottles, such as thermoses, can only be taken through security if they are empty. According to the airport's explanation, these multi-layered containers are more difficult for scanners to examine, therefore the harmlessness of the liquid inside them cannot always be clearly determined. Therefore, anyone taking a thermos or heat-retaining bottle should empty it before departure and only refill it after the check, if possible.

Those traveling with analog camera film should also pay special attention. According to Zurich Airport, CT scanners can damage analog film, so such passengers should notify security personnel in advance that they request a separate, manual check. This may seem like a small detail, but it can prevent real loss for those traveling for city visits, weddings, photo trips, or creative work.

Why does this matter to Hungarian travelers?

Zurich is accessible from Hungary and Western Hungary in several ways: via direct or connecting flights from Budapest, and for many passengers, Vienna is also a realistic starting point. For those planning a Swiss city visit, business trip, or Alpine holiday, simpler carry-on packing can be a real convenience advantage. There is no need to transfer every liquid into mini-packaging, no need to throw away a larger cosmetic or drink at the last moment, and security checks may involve less packing.

At the same time, Hungarian travelers should not treat the Zurich decision as if the 100 ml rule had ceased to exist throughout Europe. Different rules may be in effect for departures from Budapest, departures from Vienna, or transfers in Italy, Germany, France, or the UK. In addition to checking Budapest flight information, Vienna flight information, and Zurich Airport flight information, it is always worth checking the carry-on rules of the specific airport before departure.

The greatest risk occurs on routes consisting of multiple airports. If someone, for example, starts in Zurich but later has to pass through security again at another European airport, it may happen that the 2-liter Zurich rule is not enough there. In such cases, the larger liquid container may be taken away, or it should have been placed in checked luggage. This is particularly unpleasant if it is a more expensive cosmetic, special food, or a gift.

Will security checks be faster?

One of the advantages of the new CT scanners is that fewer items need to be placed on a separate tray, which in theory can speed up passenger flow. If laptops, tablets, and liquids can remain in the bag, there is less packing, less congestion around the trays, and a lower chance that someone leaves a device behind after the check. During the summer travel peak, when families, business travelers, and those departing for long weekends appear in the terminal simultaneously, this can represent a visible convenience advantage.

Zurich Airport, however, continues to recommend that passengers allow sufficient time for security checks, and the recommended arrival times have not changed. This is a sensible warning: a technological improvement does not eliminate traffic peaks, luggage check-in queues, passport control, gate changes, or weather and air traffic delays. Those traveling with a tight schedule, children, elderly family members, or a lot of carry-on luggage should still plan for buffer time.

How should one pack before Zurich?

If the journey begins in Zurich, placing larger liquid containers in carry-on luggage is now a realistic option, but only if the entire route allows it. In the case of a direct Zurich departure or return journey, this is a simpler situation. For connecting routes, especially if another security check occurs, it is better to pack conservatively and place larger liquids in checked luggage. If there is no checked luggage, the passenger must separately check the rules of all airports on the entire route before departure.

• If the journey begins in Zurich, check if you are actually passing through the main security control building.
• If you are only transferring in Zurich, continue to expect the 100 ml limit.
• If another check occurs at another airport, check the liquid rule there as well.
• Carry thermoses and double-walled bottles only when empty through the check.
• For analog camera film, request a separate manual check.
• Do not risk high-value or difficult-to-replace liquids if the route rules are not clear.

What does the Zurich decision signal about European aviation?

Zurich's move is part of a slow but increasingly visible European process in which larger airports are replacing old screening systems with new generation security equipment. Several European and British airports have already introduced similar technology, but the transition is not uniform. For this reason, in the coming years, passengers may encounter a transitional period: at one airport it may be enough to leave liquids and electronics in the bag, at another, however, everything must still be taken out and the 100 ml limit remains.

This mixed system makes communication more important. Airlines, airports, and travel service providers must clearly indicate to whom the specific rule applies. From the passenger's point of view, the the most secure approach is to not pack based on the most lenient airport, but to take into account the strictest point of the entire route. This reduces the chance that one has to part with a liquid placed in carry-on luggage at a transfer or on the return journey.

Summary

Zurich Airport's 2-liter liquid rule is a real, passenger-friendly easing, but only when interpreted correctly. It is good news for those departing from Zurich, but they can expect fewer packing restrictions and simpler security checks. It is not good news, however, for those who conclude from this that the 100 ml rule has ceased to exist everywhere. Hungarian travelers, in the case of Zurich, should now distinguish between local departure, transfer, and return journey, and plan their carry-on luggage accordingly.

The most practical step before traveling remains the same: check the current rules of the airline, the departing airport, and any transfer airport. Zurich has become more convenient, but in summer European aviation, details truly matter.

Sources: Zurich Airport, Zurich Airport security check, Zurich Federal Office of Civil Aviation, Aviation Week.