After Zurich, Vienna is also relaxing the 100 ml liquid rule: what should Hungarian travelers watch out for?

One of the most frustrating European rules for carry-on luggage is now visibly beginning to change at two important airports in the region: in Zurich, from June 26, 2026, departing local passengers can already carry liquid containers of up to 2 liters through the central security check, and a similar easing is arriving in Vienna from the beginning of July. The change is good news for Hungarian travelers as well, but only if they understand exactly where it is valid and where it is not.

The news is important because some Hungarian passengers do not depart exclusively from Budapest. In addition to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, many choose Vienna Airport, especially for longer vacations, overseas transfers, or routes where Schwechat offers a wider selection. Zurich is also an important European transfer hub, which is directly accessible on the Budapest-Zurich route, and serves as a gateway to Swiss, French, Italian, or more distant connections for many passengers.

However, the change does not mean that the 100 ml restriction disappeared across Europe overnight. On the contrary: one of the most important travel lessons of the coming months will be that carry-on rules can differ from airport to airport. Security checks may already be more convenient in one direction, but on the way back, the same passenger may still encounter the old system based on 100 ml bottles and 1-liter transparent bags.

What changed in Zurich from June 26?

According to official information from Zurich Airport, from June 26, 2026, passengers who start their journey in Zurich and pass through the central check at the Security Control Building can carry liquid containers of up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage. Liquids and electronic devices do not need to be taken out of the bag separately, and there is no need to organize liquids into separate plastic bags.

The basis for the easing is the new generation CT scanner. These devices create a three-dimensional image of the carry-on luggage, allowing security personnel to inspect the contents of the bag in more detail. Since the end of 2025, Zurich Airport has been gradually replacing the old scanning equipment, and the new technology is already operating in 26 lanes of the central check.

However, the essence lies in the details. The Zurich easing does not apply to all passengers. The airport specifically notes that the new CT technology is not yet operating everywhere in the security areas for transfer passengers and in certain special processes. In these cases, the old rule may still apply: containers of up to 100 ml in a transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 liter.

This is particularly important for Hungarian travelers. If someone flies from Budapest to Zurich and then transfers there, they should not automatically assume that the 2-liter rule will be valid at every point throughout the entire journey. The decisive question is where the security check takes place, whether the passenger passes through as a departing local passenger or as a transfer passenger, and what equipment is operating at that specific checkpoint.

Vienna is following the change

According to recent Austrian reports, a similar easing is expected at Vienna Airport from July 4, 2026. Based on the reports, with the introduction of new security scanners at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, passengers will be able to carry liquid containers of up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage, and laptops, tablets, and liquids will not need to be unpacked separately from the bag.

The change in Vienna is perhaps even more direct in its impact from the perspective of the Hungarian market than the one in Zurich. Many people from Western Hungary and Budapest choose Schwechat, especially when more flights, better connections, or a more favorable schedule are available from Vienna to a given destination. The Budapest-Vienna route is therefore relevant to many passengers not only for city visits but also as an airport shuttle.

The convenience effect can be tangible. During vacations, sunscreen, shampoo, contact lens solution, baby care products, or medication are often the items for which a passenger must plan separate logistics. If larger sizes can be carried through at an airport, there is less pre-portioning, fewer disposable mini bottles, and a lower chance of having to part with a more expensive product at the security check.

Why is Europe not yet uniform?

The change is technology-based, so it cannot be introduced at all airports simultaneously. The procurement, installation, authorization, staff training, and restructuring of security processes for CT scanners take time. This is why some large airports are already relaxing rules, others have only partially introduced the new system, and in others, the classic 100 ml rule continues to exist.

The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation also warns that passengers must check the regulations of the given airport and airline in all cases. This is not just a precautionary sentence: different rules may apply at the two endpoints of a round trip. It may happen that we start more comfortably from Zurich or Vienna, but on the return journey, a Mediterranean, Balkan, British, or overseas airport still checks according to the old system.

The situation is even more complex at transfers. If the passenger remains only within a sterile transit area, they may be in a different regulatory situation than if they have to pass through security again. If the connection is in a separate booking, if checked luggage must be reclaimed, or if another check is necessary due to airport operations, the liquid rule may come into play again.

What does this mean for passengers departing from Budapest?

The most important advice for passengers departing from Budapest is to pack based on the rules of the specific departure and security point, not the destination country. If someone departs from BUD airport, it is still worth preparing according to Budapest regulations, and only count on the Zurich or Vienna easing if they actually pass through the relevant security check there.

This is especially important for those traveling with carry-on luggage and who do not want to pay for a checked suitcase. The liquid rule directly affects what can be taken on board, how cosmetics, medicines, baby food, sports nutrition, or liquid dietary supplements should be packed. For those who base their journey on minimal luggage, the change in rules is a real question of cost and convenience.

It is also essential that the size and weight of carry-on luggage still depend on the airline's rules. The authorization of a 2-liter liquid container does not mean that the weight limit or number of cabin bags automatically increases. The luggage logic of low-cost and traditional airlines may still differ, so the easing regarding liquids should not be confused with carry-on entitlement.

Who could this be a real relief for?

The change most benefits those who go on short trips with only carry-on luggage but were previously forced to compromise due to the liquid limit. For a city visit, a ski weekend, a business trip, or a long summer weekend, many passengers do not want to take checked luggage. If larger sizes can be carried through, packing becomes simpler and airport stress decreases.

The relaxation may also be useful for families, although caution is particularly important here. Those traveling with children often carry liquid food, creams, medicine, or disinfectant. Exceptions have existed for special medical or dietary liquids, but a larger general limit can make travel easier. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to carry documentation or certification for medicines and medical liquids, especially on international and transfer flights.

For business travelers and those traveling with digital devices, leaving electronic devices in the bag may be the biggest gain. Unpacking laptops, tablets, chargers, cables, and liquids often slows down the line, increases the risk of forgotten items, and makes the security check more uncomfortable. The spread of CT scanners is therefore not just about liquids, but about the entire rhythm of airport passage.

Practical checklist before departure

• Check the current carry-on and liquid rules of the departure airport, not just the destination.
• At transfers, check if you need to pass through security again.
• If departing from Zurich as a local passenger, you can count on the 2-liter rule at the central check, but there may still be differences at transfers.
• If departing from Vienna after July 4, check the airport's fresh information before departure, as the rule applies to the specific security process.
• Always prepare separately for the return journey: the 100 ml limit may still apply at the other airport.
• According to official information from Zurich, thermos flasks and double-walled bottles should only be carried empty, as the multi-layered wall can complicate the check.
• In the case of analog film, request a separate manual check, as CT scanners can damage the film.

Why is this important for Hungarian tourism?

The airport security process is not a flashy tourist topic, yet it has a serious impact on the travel experience. Long lines, uncertain packing rules, and liquids thrown away at the last moment are all small inconveniences that degrade the passenger experience. If the large Central European airports handle carry-on luggage more quickly and more comfortably, it can also mean a competitive advantage.

In the case of Vienna, this is particularly interesting for Hungarian travelers. Schwechat is already a realistic alternative for many, especially when departing from Western Hungary or for long-haul flights. If the check becomes faster and more predictable, it can further strengthen Vienna's role in the region. In Zurich, the effect may appear more in transfers and Swiss connections, especially for those who choose a Swiss connection departing from Budapest.

The convenience change can also affect accommodation and route planning. For early departures or longer transfers, it is still worth thinking ahead: hotels around Vienna airport or hotels near Zurich airport can be useful for those who do not want to cram the dawn security check and the city transfer into a single narrow time slot.

The bottom line: it will be easier, but not everywhere

The developments in Zurich and Vienna show that Europe is slowly moving away from the 100 ml liquid rule, but the transition period may still bring many misunderstandings. For Hungarian travelers, the best strategy is not to automatically start their journey with large bottles, but to check the rules of the departure, transfer, and return airports separately for every route.

The good news is clear: where the new CT scanners are fully operational and official authorization has taken place, the security check can be faster, more convenient, and less tedious. The bad news is simply that Europe will not operate as a uniform system for a while. Those who know this will find the change a real relief, not another airport surprise.

Sources: Zurich Airport official information, Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation information, AIRportal.hu, VIENNA.AT.