New EU Cabin Bag Rules: Free Personal Item From October 2027, Explained

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"Free cabin bags are coming to Europe" makes a great headline, but the final law says something narrower. We went through the regulation's text so you know what changes, when, and what to pack in the meantime.

What the new EU rules actually say

The new rules come from Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 of 16 September 2026. It amends the EU's main air passenger rights law (Regulation 261/2004, often called "EU261") and the rules on airline liability for baggage. Here's what the published text says about cabin bags:

Topic	What the regulation says
Personal item	Airlines must let you carry a personal item into the cabin at no extra cost
Personal item size	Up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, or it must fit under the seat in front of you
Hand baggage (trolley)	Airlines must allow one piece subject to the capacity of the aircraft cabin
Fare display	Fares that include hand baggage must be shown by default before booking starts
Cheaper "no-bag" fares	Still allowed for passengers who voluntarily choose to travel without hand baggage
Bag moved to the hold	If safety, capacity or an aircraft change means your bag can't go in the cabin, the airline can put it in the hold at no further cost
Start date	Applies from 23 October 2027

Sources: the published regulation on EUR-Lex and the final legislative text from the Council of the EU.

The regulation also defines both terms. A personal item is unchecked baggage that meets security and safety rules and is either within 40 x 30 x 15 cm or fits under the seat in front. Hand baggage is any other unchecked bag that isn't a personal item. In practice, that usually means a small trolley case for the overhead bin.

What it doesn't say: the 7kg / 100cm myth

Several news reports described a standard cabin bag of up to 7kg with combined dimensions of up to 100cm. Euronews, for example, reported those figures on 1 October 2026.

Those numbers are not in the article on personal items and hand baggage in the final text. Instead, the regulation says airlines should define a "reasonable policy" on hand baggage dimensions. It also says that a future review of EU air services rules should look at whether uniform minimum rules for hand baggage are feasible.

In practice:

Your personal item (under-seat bag) has a clear EU-wide size and is free.
Your trolley bag has to be allowed, but only space permitting. Airlines still set its size and weight limits.
Airlines can still sell cheaper fares to people who choose to fly without hand baggage. Those fares just can't be the default price you see first.

When does it start, and does it apply to my flight?

The regulation entered the EU's Official Journal on 2 October 2026, and the published text says it applies from 23 October 2027. For about a year, nothing changes at the gate. Basic fares on many airlines will still only include a small under-seat bag, and some will charge for a trolley.

The new rules sit inside the EU's air passenger rights framework, so they cover flights within the scope of EU261. For UK travellers, there's an important wrinkle. According to Euronews, citing a Which? report, easyJet says UK passengers will benefit only on return flights from EU countries, not on outbound flights from the UK. The same report says UK airlines are reviewing their own baggage rules ahead of the change.

If you fly outside Europe, your airline's own rules still apply. Always check the bag allowance on your booking, not on a headline.

The rest of the overhaul: delays and refunds

Cabin bags grabbed the headlines, but the same regulation also rewrites EU rules on cancellations, delays and missed connections. One example from the final text: if your flight is disrupted, the airline must offer a choice that includes automatic reimbursement within seven calendar days of your choice, by bank transfer, for the parts of the journey you didn't take.

These rules also apply only from 23 October 2027, and they cover only what the airline owes you. They won't pay for a missed hotel night, a lost tour booking or a hospital visit abroad. That's still the job of travel insurance. See our comparison of the best travel insurance for digital nomads for options built for long and multi-country trips.

How to pack for the new rules (and today's rules)

Start packing around the 40 x 30 x 15 cm personal-item size now. Many budget fares already include only an under-seat bag, and from late 2027 that size gets legal protection.

Measure your bag. Check the outside measurements of your backpack or tote, including pockets and handles, against 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
Keep the essentials in the personal item. The regulation's recitals give passports and travel documents, essential medicines, personal devices and reading materials as examples of essential items. If your trolley gets sent to the hold, you won't lose them.
Batteries stay with you. If your cabin bag is moved to the hold, take out any power banks and spare lithium batteries first. They are never allowed in checked luggage. Our guide to whether you can bring a power bank on a plane covers the details.
Add a tracker. If your bag is checked at the gate, a tracker helps you follow it. See AirTag vs. Tile vs. Chipolo.

Looking for a bag sized for the under-seat allowance? Peak Design and Bellroy both make travel backpacks and slings in a range of sizes. Check the listed dimensions against 40 x 30 x 15 cm before you buy.

Browse Peak Design travel bags · Browse Bellroy travel bags

Before you fly

eSIM: Set up a travel eSIM before departure so you can check gate changes, bag-drop updates and rebooking offers as soon as you land. Compare options in our best travel eSIM guide. Airalo · Holafly
Insurance: Airline compensation and refunds don't cover medical bills or most knock-on costs. SafetyWing and Heymondo are two options we compare in our travel insurance guide.

FAQ

When do the new EU cabin bag rules start?

The published regulation says it applies from 23 October 2027. Until then, each airline's current baggage policy applies.

Will every EU flight include a free trolley bag?

Not exactly. Airlines must allow one piece of hand baggage subject to cabin capacity. Fares including it must be shown by default, but airlines can still offer cheaper fares to passengers who choose to travel without one.

What size is the free personal item?

Up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, or a bag that fits under the seat in front of you, as long as it meets security and safety rules.

Is there an EU-wide 7kg cabin bag limit?

Not in the final text. The regulation leaves hand baggage dimensions to each airline's "reasonable policy" and asks for a future feasibility review of uniform minimum rules.

What if my cabin bag has to go in the hold?

If safety, capacity or an aircraft change means it can't travel in the cabin, the airline can put it in the hold at no further cost to you. Take out batteries, medicines and valuables first.

Do the rules change liquid limits or security screening?

No. The regulation states that it doesn't affect existing EU and international security and safety restrictions on unchecked baggage.

Conclusion

The EU has locked in a free under-seat personal item and more transparent fares, starting 23 October 2027. It hasn't created a universal free 7kg trolley bag, so keep checking your airline's allowance. Pack your essentials into a bag that fits 40 x 30 x 15 cm, keep batteries on you, and sort your eSIM and insurance before you go.

Before your next trip: Compare travel eSIMs · Get a SafetyWing quote · Browse Peak Design bags