Free hand luggage under EU law arrives on 23 October 2027, but only for your personal item: a bag up to 40 Ă— 30 Ă— 15 cm or small enough to fit under the seat in front. Not the wheelie case: airlines must let you bring it on board if there is room, but they can still charge for it. That is what Regulation (EU) 2026/2202, the reform of EU air passenger rights in force since 22 October 2026, says. Until 22 October 2027 each airline's own rules still apply, so here is what changes, from when, and how to avoid surprise fees in the meantime.
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Free hand luggage EU law: from when and what it covers
The new baggage rule is part of the EU air passenger rights reform and applies from 23 October 2027, together with the other changes on information, care and delays. It separates two kinds of unchecked baggage: the personal item and hand baggage proper, meaning the cabin bag or wheelie case.
| Baggage | Today (until 22/10/2027) | From 23/10/2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item (handbag, small backpack) | Each airline's rules and sizes | Free: up to 40 Ă— 30 Ă— 15 cm or under the seat in front |
| Cabin bag | Each airline's rules and prices | Allowed if there is room in the cabin; not necessarily free |
| Prices shown online | Up to whoever sells the ticket | By default, the fare including a cabin bag first |
| No room in the cabin | Airline rules | The bag goes in the hold at no extra cost |
What counts as the personal item that becomes free
The new text defines it as a piece of unchecked baggage that meets security rules and measures no more than 40 Ă— 30 Ă— 15 cm, or fits under the seat in front of yours. Think handbag, small backpack or laptop bag. It is meant for the essentials of the journey: passport and travel documents, medicines, phone and laptop, something to read, and food and drink for the length of the flight.
The airline operating the flight will have to let you take it into the cabin at no extra cost. Security rules stay the same, though: liquids in 100 ml containers, banned items and airport screening do not change. You will find them in our guide to hand luggage rules.
What about the cabin bag? What the new law really says
Precision matters here, because plenty of headlines talk about a "free cabin bag". The text says three things:
- the airline must allow you to take a piece of hand baggage into the cabin, subject to the space available on board;
- when fares are displayed, the fare including hand baggage must be shown first, by default, before the booking starts, so you can compare real prices;
- airlines and agents can still sell fares without hand baggage to passengers who voluntarily choose to travel that way.
The text sets no size or weight for the cabin bag and does not say it must be free: each airline can keep its own policy, which it will have to tell you at the time of booking. EU institutions will look at common minimum size rules in the future, but none exist yet.
Another useful change: if the bag cannot travel in the cabin for safety reasons, lack of space or a change of aircraft type, the airline can ask you at check-in or at the gate to put it in the hold, but without charging you anything more.
Until 2027 each airline's rules apply
Until 22 October 2027 none of this is mandatory. Each airline decides what is included in its basic fare, with different sizes and prices that can change often. Before you fly, always check the airline's official website and read our guides:
- Ryanair hand luggage: what your fare includes and when you need the cabin bag option;
- Wizz Air hand luggage policy: free bag, cabin trolley and gate checks.
How to avoid gate fees today
- Check the rules on the day you book on the airline's website: sizes, weight and what your fare includes.
- Measure your bag including wheels, handles and full outer pockets.
- Pick the right fare: if you need a cabin bag, adding it before you get to the airport avoids surprises at the gate.
- Keep the essentials with you: documents, medicines and valuables in the bag under the seat, in case the cabin bag has to go in the hold.
- Save your booking confirmation with the extras you paid for, so you can challenge any wrong charge.
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Frequently asked questions about free hand luggage under EU law
From when is hand luggage free under EU law?
From 23 October 2027, and only the personal item. Until then each airline's rules apply.
What size can the free personal item be?
Up to 40 Ă— 30 Ă— 15 cm, or it must fit under the seat in front of you. It also has to meet security rules.
Will cabin bags be free from 2027?
Not necessarily. Airlines must accept one in the cabin if there is room and show the fare that includes it first, but the text does not say it has to be free.
If there is no room in the cabin, will I pay for the hold?
From 23 October 2027, no: if your bag has to go in the hold because of lack of space, safety or a change of aircraft, you cannot be charged extra.
Can airlines still sell fares without a cabin bag?
Yes, to passengers who voluntarily choose to travel without hand baggage. But online, the fare that includes it must be shown first.
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Article updated on 26/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.