What exactly changed from 26 June 2026?
Zürich Airport introduced new security rules for departing passengers on Friday, 26 June 2026. The changes can be summarised in three points:
Liquid limit: the previous 100 ml restriction is replaced by a 2-litre upper limit. Liquids no longer need to be packed in a transparent plastic bag, and they no longer need to be removed from your bag at the checkpoint.
Electronic devices: laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices no longer need to be taken out of carry-on luggage during screening.
Faster passage: since bags no longer need to be unpacked and devices removed, the screening process will be shorter and less cumbersome.
According to the airport's press release, the changes take effect at the checkpoints in the security control building (Sicherheitskontrollgebäude).
Who does the new rule apply to — and who does it not?
This is the point where most misunderstandings can arise, so it is worth clearly distinguishing between the two groups of passengers.
Who the new rule applies to
The relaxation applies exclusively to passengers departing from Zürich — that is, those whose journey begins at Zürich Airport and who pass through security in the airport's control building.
Who it does not yet apply to
Transfer passengers (transit passengers) are not yet covered by the relaxation. The new scanners have not yet been installed in the transfer zone (Transferbereich), so the 100 ml liquid limit and the requirement to remove electronic devices still apply there.
Practical implication for Hungarians: if, for example, you are arriving from Budapest to Zürich and then connecting to another flight, you will need to follow the old rules in the transfer zone. The new relaxation is only relevant if Zürich is the actual starting point of your journey.
How do the new CT scanners work?
The technological basis for the change is 26 state-of-the-art CT scanners (computed tomography, Computertomograph), the installation of which began in 2025. The airport has invested a total of CHF 34 million (approximately 14–15 billion forints at mid-2026 exchange rates) in the development.
Unlike traditional two-dimensional X-ray scanners, CT-based devices create a three-dimensional image of the contents of a bag. This allows security staff to reliably identify liquids and electronic devices without passengers having to unpack them.
According to the airport, the scanners "represent the most advanced technology available and are capable of three-dimensional analysis of carry-on luggage, thereby reliably detecting liquids and electronic devices." The level of security is therefore not being reduced — the relaxation is purely the result of technological progress.
Why was the 100 ml rule introduced in 2006?
The 100 ml liquid limit was introduced in the European Union in November 2006, and Switzerland also applied this rule at its airports. The immediate trigger for the decision was a foiled terrorist plot uncovered in England in 2006, in which the perpetrators attempted to smuggle liquid explosives onto aircraft hidden inside soft drink bottles.
The authorities concluded at the time that checking small quantities of liquids kept in separate bags could be carried out reliably with the technology then available. The limit was therefore not arbitrary — it was calibrated to the capabilities of two-dimensional scanners.
Twenty years on, CT technology makes it possible to maintain the same level of security without requiring passengers to separate their liquids.
What practical benefits does the change bring?
The immediate effect is a faster and simpler screening process. Specifically:
No need to repack in advance: liquids no longer need to be arranged in a transparent bag at home or while queuing at the airport.
No need to remove anything: neither liquid bottles, nor laptops, nor tablets.
Shorter queues: the process was previously slowed down by items being unpacked and repacked one by one — this bottleneck is eliminated for departing passengers.
Less stress at check-in: especially during the busy summer season, when queues are already longer than usual.
The change comes into effect on the eve of the summer travel season, providing departing passengers with an immediate and tangible benefit.
When does it take effect, and how should you prepare?
The new rule applies from 26 June 2026. Anyone departing from Zürich after that date may travel under the new regulations.
A few practical tips for the transition period:
Check your departure point: if Zürich is your departure point, the new rule applies to you. If you are transiting through Zürich, the old restrictions still apply.
When transiting, don't change your usual routine: the 100 ml limit and the requirement to remove devices remain in force in the transit zone.
Nothing has changed at other airports: the relaxation applies exclusively to Zürich. At other Swiss airports (Geneva/Genève-Aéroport, Basel/EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg) and other European airports, the old rules still apply for now — except where those airports have introduced their own upgrades.
The 2-litre limit is not unlimited: the rule permits liquids up to 2 litres, not an unlimited quantity. For particularly large amounts of liquid, it is worth checking the individual airline's own policies as well.
Sources
Flughafen Zürich AG press release (June 2026) — flughafen-zuerich.ch
The Local Switzerland: "Zurich Airport relaxes liquid restrictions for hand luggage" — thelocal.ch
European Commission: aviation security rules on liquids — ec.europa.eu
Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL / Office fédéral de l'aviation civile, OFAC) — bazl.admin.ch
In Brief
From 26 June 2026, departing passengers at Flughafen Zürich will no longer need to comply with the 100 ml liquid limit in their carry-on luggage — they can bring liquids up to 2 litres. The new rule is made possible by newly installed CT scanners, which use three-dimensional imaging to reliably identify liquids. One important caveat: the relaxation does **not** yet apply to transit passengers, who must continue to follow the old rules. ---
Key Takeaways
- From 26 June 2026, departing passengers at Zurich Airport will no longer need to comply with the 100 ml liquid limit — they can carry liquids up to 2 litres in their hand luggage.
- Electronic devices no longer need to be removed from bags at security screening.
- The relaxation does **not** yet apply to transit passengers — the old rules remain in force in the transit zone.
- The change is enabled by a CHF 34 million CT-based scanner system that identifies liquids using three-dimensional imaging.
- The 100 ml limit was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terrorist attack — its removal is the result of technological progress, not a security concession.
- Rules at other Swiss and European airports remain unchanged for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a 500 ml bottle of shampoo in my carry-on when departing from Zurich?
From 26 June 2026, yes — provided Zurich is your point of departure and screening takes place at the airport's security building. A 500 ml bottle falls within the new 2-litre limit and does not need to be placed in a separate bag.
If I fly from Budapest to Zurich and then continue onward, does the new rule apply to me?
No. If you are transiting through Zurich, the old 100 ml limit still applies in the transit zone, as the new scanners have not yet been installed there. The relaxation only covers departing passengers.
Do I need to take my laptop out of my bag at Zurich Airport?
Departing passengers will not need to from 26 June 2026. Transit passengers still do — the old rules remain in effect in the transit zone.
Will the 100 ml limit be lifted at other Swiss airports too?
There has been no public announcement on this so far. The upgrade was Flughafen Zürich's own investment; Geneva and Basel airports may decide on similar developments according to their own timelines.
Why is the new limit 2 litres and not unlimited?
The 2-litre ceiling is a compromise between security requirements and the capabilities of the technology. CT scanners can reliably analyse liquids, but the authorities retain the right to set an upper limit.
Has anything changed for checked baggage?
No. The rules for checked baggage have not changed — these depend on the individual airline's policies and the destination, and are not affected by security screening.
When can we expect the new scanners to be introduced in the transit zone as well?
The airport has not yet announced a specific date for this. Upgrading the transit zone requires a separate investment, and the airport is expected to communicate about it separately. ---
