Editorial Team
Our content team
13 min read
You've probably seen the headlines. "End of the 100ml rule!" "New scanners allow bigger bottles!" And now you're packing for your Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt, wondering: Can I finally bring my regular shampoo bottle?
The honest answer: No. Not yet.
Frankfurt has 40 security checkpoints with modern CT scanners now. The technology can indeed scan larger quantities of liquids. The 100ml rule? Still applies everywhere. Sounds contradictory, is contradictory. That's exactly what's causing massive confusion right now.
In this guide, I'll explain what actually applies in 2026, why the new scanners still help you, and how to get through security without stress.
The 100ml Rule for Lufthansa Carry-On: What Applies Now
Let's start with the facts. The German Federal Police clearly states: All liquids over 100 milliliters must go in checked baggage.
This applies to all Lufthansa flights. Whether you're flying Economy Light, Business, or First Class. Whether you're departing from Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin.
The basic rules remain:
Maximum 100ml per container
All containers must fit in a transparent, resealable plastic bag
The bag cannot exceed 1 liter capacity
One bag per person
The bag must be shown separately at security
These rules have been in place since 2006 and haven't changed. What has changed: The process at some security checkpoints. But I'll get to that in a moment.
How Many 100ml Bottles Can I Bring?
Theoretically, as many as fit in your 1-liter bag. That's realistically about 8 to 10 bottles. The number isn't limited as long as everything fits in the bag and each individual bottle holds a maximum of 100ml.
I know people who manage with 12 mini-bottles. But honestly? Then the bag becomes a Tetris game. More practical is 6 to 8 containers with some space between them.
The CT Scanner Situation in Frankfurt
Frankfurt has new scanners. 40 of 160 security checkpoints are equipped with CT technology now. Fraport invested 22 million euros in the upgrade.
The technology is impressive. Like a medical CT scan, just for your luggage. Three-dimensional images that can distinguish harmless liquids from dangerous substances.
What the scanners can do:
Laptops and tablets can stay in your bag
Smartphones don't need to come out
Liquids don't need to be shown separately anymore
Throughput is about 30% faster
What the scanners don't change:
The 100ml rule for Lufthansa carry-on liquids remains in effect. Even with the most modern CT technology.
Wait. If the scanners can detect larger quantities, why can't I bring bigger bottles?
The September 2024 Chaos
In summer 2024, it briefly looked like the 100ml rule would drop. Some passengers actually got through with larger liquids at CT-equipped checkpoints.
Then came September. The EU Commission pulled the emergency brake. Not because the scanners don't work, but because only certain models have official approval. The rest are still waiting for the green light.
Frankfurt Airport recommends that passengers continue following the 100ml rule. You don't know beforehand which checkpoint lane you'll go through. Some have CT scanners, some don't.
The Regulatory Reality
According to European Newsroom, the EU Commission has approved 700 scanners in 21 member states for relaxed rules so far. But: Only scanners from one specific manufacturer (Smiths Detection) have full clearance. Airports with other brands (Rapiscan, Nuctech) are still waiting for approval. With no clear timeline.
In concrete terms: Even if Frankfurt eventually equips all 160 checkpoint lanes with CT scanners, the rules for Lufthansa carry-on liquids can only be relaxed once the EU gives the green light. And that's anyone's guess.
What Terminal 3 Means for Lufthansa Passengers
The new Terminal 3 opens on April 22, 2026. 21 security checkpoints, all equipped with CT scanners from day one.
The difference from Terminal 1 and 2: Not retrofitted, but built from the ground up around the new technology. 19 million passengers per year - this will be Frankfurt's most modern terminal.
Between January 27 and April 16, 2026, test runs with 8,000 volunteers are taking place. If everything works out, Terminal 3 will offer the fastest security experience at the entire airport.
But note: The 100ml rule for Lufthansa carry-on liquids applies in Terminal 3 too. Better technology doesn't automatically mean relaxed regulations. The infrastructure is ready. EU regulations are not.
Where Lufthansa Passengers Benefit from CT Scanners
If you fly Lufthansa regularly, you probably know Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport. Gates A and Z are the hub for Lufthansa long-haul flights.
Good news: Security checkpoints for Gates A and Z are fully equipped with CT scanners. That means:
You don't have to take out your laptop anymore
Tablets and e-readers can stay in your backpack
The liquids bag doesn't need to be on top
The whole process is noticeably faster
I've experienced this myself. Before: Laptop out, tablet out, liquids bag out, jacket off, everything in separate bins. Now: Bag on the belt, walk through, done. The whole process takes maybe two minutes instead of five.
The irony: You benefit from faster processing and less unpacking. But your shampoo still needs to be the 100ml version.
What Counts as a Liquid on Lufthansa Carry-On
This is where many travelers stumble. "Liquid" means more than just water.
Clearly liquids:
Water, juices, alcohol
Shampoo, shower gel, conditioner
Perfume, eau de toilette
Liquid foundation, mascara
Surprisingly also liquids:
Toothpaste (gel/paste counts)
Spray deodorant and roll-on
Sunscreen, after-sun lotion
Nutella, honey, cream cheese
Lip balm in jars
Contact lens solution
Nail polish
Not liquids:
Solid deodorant stick
Lipstick (as long as it's not creamy)
Powder makeup
Solid soap, shampoo bars
Dry food
The trick with Lufthansa carry-on liquids: Everything that flows, spreads, or is spreadable at room temperature counts. According to official guidelines, the printed container size matters, not the actual contents.
A 150ml tube that's only half full? Gets confiscated. Security looks at the number on the container, not the fill level.
Exceptions: Medications and Baby Food
For Lufthansa carry-on liquids, there are important exceptions. There are situations where the 100ml rule doesn't apply.
Medications
You can bring liquid medications in the quantities you need. Even over 100ml. For this, you should:
Carry a doctor's note or prescription
Keep medications in original packaging
Only pack the amount needed for the trip
Show medications separately at security
Insulin, eye drops, liquid supplements, prescription creams. All of this falls under the exception.
Baby Food
There's also an exception for babies and toddlers:
Breast milk and formula
Baby food in jars
Juices and tea for young children
Cooling packs for baby food
You need to have the child with you. And the quantity must be realistic for the travel duration. A pallet of jars for a short-haul flight would be suspicious.
Important: These exceptions don't go in your regular liquids bag. Show them separately at security.
Duty-Free Purchases and Connecting Flights
Many Lufthansa passengers buy liquids after security at the duty-free shop - a way to bypass the carry-on restrictions. Frankfurt is a massive hub. Many passengers connect here. And this is where it gets complicated with liquids.
The STEB Bag
When you buy perfume, spirits, or other liquids at the airport, you get a sealed STEB bag (Security Tamper-Evident Bag). This bag is your pass for connecting flights.
According to Frankfurt Airport, the following rules apply:
The bag must remain sealed
The receipt must be visible inside
Valid only for connecting flights within 36 hours
You cannot leave the secure area
When the STEB Bag Doesn't Help
For flights arriving from non-EU countries into the EU, there's often another security check. If you're coming from Dubai and connecting in Frankfurt, for example, your duty-free whisky could be problematic at the EU entry checkpoint.
My tip: Buy duty-free liquids at your destination airport, not on the way there. Saves stress and risk.
Practical Solutions: What Actually Helps
The 100ml rule for Lufthansa carry-on liquids isn't going away anytime soon. So here are my honest recommendations for dealing with it.
Reusable Travel Bottles
Invest in decent travel bottles. Not the cheap ones that leak after two flights.
I use the Opret 100ml Silikon Reiseflaschen Set, 3 Stück Auslaufsicher Nachfüllbare Reise Container TSA-geprüft. Silicone, leak-proof, and the 100ml marking is clearly visible. Saves arguments at security - staff can see at first glance: it fits.
For larger sets (family or when you're preparing many different products): The 16er Pack Reiseflaschen zum Befüllen, Set Silikon Reiseflaschen de 100 ml, Reisebehälter für Shampoo, Lotion, Conditioner with 16 bottles and labels.
Opret 100ml Silikon Reiseflaschen Set, 3 Stück Auslaufsicher Nachfüllbare Reise Container TSA-geprüft
4.4
(3,709)
EUR 8.99
Amazon
The Right Toiletry Bag
The liquids bag must be transparent and resealable. Ziplock bags from the supermarket work. But honestly? After two or three trips, they're broken.
The Oderra Kulturbeutel Transparent, Kosmetiktasche Durchsichtig, TSA-geprüft Handgepäck Kulturtasche is TSA-approved and lasts longer. Transparent, sturdy, the right size.
If you want a complete set: The Kulturbeutel zum Transportieren von Flüssigkeiten und 10er Pack Reiseflasche Set und Plastikbeutel für Flüssigkeiten zugelassen combines a toiletry bag with 10 travel bottles. Practical if you're just starting to build your travel setup.
Oderra Kulturbeutel Transparent, Kosmetiktasche Durchsichtig, TSA-geprüft Handgepäck Kulturtasche
5.0
(1,287)
EUR 7.3
Amazon
Solid Alternatives
Here's a thought: Why carry liquids at all?
Shampoo bars instead of liquid shampoo
Solid soap instead of shower gel
Deodorant stick instead of spray
Toothpaste tablets instead of tubes
Everything solid doesn't count as a liquid. No bag needed, no quantity restrictions. The simplest solution for short trips.
When Things Go Wrong: Your Options at Security
What happens if your Lufthansa carry-on liquids fail at security? Let's say you have a 150ml bottle with you. Security finds it. Now what?
Option 1: Surrender it
The most common outcome. The bottle goes in the bin, you move on. No refund, no exchange.
Last month I saw a guy who had to surrender his 150ml shaving foam can. Still sealed in original packaging, had it as a gift. Gone anyway.
Option 2: Add to checked baggage
If you still have time (at least 45 minutes until boarding), you can go back to check-in and put the bottle in checked luggage. Might cost extra, but you don't lose anything.
Option 3: Mail it home
Some large airports offer a postal service. You send the confiscated items home to yourself. Not standard at Frankfurt, but ask. Sometimes it's possible.
Option 4: Give it to a companion
If someone dropped you off at the airport and is still waiting before security: Hand the bottle back. The simplest solution.
What's Available After Security?
If your favorite product was confiscated: In the secure area at Frankfurt, you'll find pharmacies and shops with travel sizes. Not cheap, but available.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After years as a frequent flyer and hundreds of observations on Lufthansa flights: These mistakes with carry-on liquids come up again and again.
Mistake 1: The "Half Full" Logic
"But the bottle is almost empty!" Doesn't matter. The printed size counts. A 200ml bottle with 50ml of content gets confiscated.
Mistake 2: The Broken Bag
Your Ziplock bag has a hole? Then it doesn't count. Better to bring two bags. One to show, one as backup.
Mistake 3: Forgetting Creamy Foods
Nutella jars, cream cheese, pesto in carry-on: Count as liquids. Every time I see people at the trash bin throwing away their breakfast.
Yes, Nutella. I didn't believe it either until I saw someone having to surrender their jar for the first time. The security staff's reasoning: "Spreadable is liquid."
Mistake 4: Gifts Not Repacked
That perfume bottle as a gift from your aunt? If it's 110ml, it's gone. Even sealed in original packaging.
Mistake 5: Counting on CT Scanners
Last month I stood behind a businessman who tried exactly that. "But the new scanners..." Security doesn't care. Big bottle out, into the bin. The 100ml rule for Lufthansa carry-on liquids applies everywhere. Without exception.
When Checking a Bag Makes Sense
For longer trips with Lufthansa, checked baggage often makes more sense than constantly refilling travel sizes. Lufthansa Economy Light charges extra (from 30 euros), but do the math:
Scenario 1: Weekend Trip
You only need toothpaste and deodorant. Travel size costs 3 euros. Checking a bag? Overkill.
Scenario 2: Two-Week Vacation
Sunscreen (full size), after-sun, bug spray, shampoo for 14 days, medications - all carry-on liquids that get expensive in travel sizes. In travel sizes: 25 euros and up, plus the annoying refilling. Checked bag: 30 euros, bring your normal stuff. The math is clear.
Scenario 3: Business Trip with Hotel
The hotel has soap, shampoo, shower gel. You might only need toothpaste and deodorant. Carry-on works fine.
With Lufthansa Economy Classic and above, one checked bag is included. Check your fare.
2026 Outlook: What's Coming
What changes in 2026 for Lufthansa liquids in carry-on? Here's what we know:
April 2026: Terminal 3 Opens
Fully equipped with CT scanners. The fastest security at the entire airport. But the 100ml rule remains for now.
End of 2026: All Major German Airports with CT Scanners
According to VisaHQ, Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Brandenburg are scheduled to be fully upgraded by year-end.
Unknown: EU Approval for Relaxed Rules
At some point, the EU will give the green light. But when? Nobody knows. Could be 2026, could be 2028. The regulatory wheels turn slowly.
My recommendation: Get used to the 100ml rule. Buy decent travel bottles. And be happy if it eventually gets easier.
