Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Frequent Flyers from Other European Countries Can Get Huge Benefit with This New EU Law Banning Airlines from Charging Extra for Hand Luggage, But What Will Happen to Low-Cost Carriers

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium—along with frequent flyers across the rest of Europe—are standing at the edge of a travel revolution. A bold new EU law is ready to ban airlines from charging extra for hand luggage. And if you’re a frequent flyer in Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, or Belgium, this could change everything about how you fly.

For years, travelers in Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium have been frustrated by hidden hand luggage fees. Low-cost carriers have profited while frequent flyers paid the price—literally. But now, a powerful EU move is shaking the skies. No more surprises at the gate. No more €50 fees for that overhead bag. This is the change frequent flyers have been demanding.

The new EU law promises to give all passengers—whether flying from Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, or Belgium—the right to bring a cabin bag onboard for free. A true win for frequent flyers. But here’s the twist: what happens to low-cost carriers?

Low-cost carriers have built their empires on extra fees. In Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium, millions book budget flights every year. But if they can’t charge for hand luggage anymore, how will they survive? Will ticket prices skyrocket? Will services get cut? Will frequent flyers end up paying more in other ways?

This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about fairness. It’s about transparency. Frequent flyers across Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and the rest of Europe have long asked for consistent rules. Now, the EU is finally listening.

But the skies are turbulent.

The new law brings hope. It also brings uncertainty. For frequent flyers, it’s a potential game-changer. For low-cost carriers, it’s a direct hit to their business model. And for millions across Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and Belgium, the big question remains: will this new rule make flying better—or just more complicated?

The answer is just ahead. Keep reading.

Europe’s Hand Luggage Revolution: Why a Free Cabin Bag Could Cost You More

A dramatic shift is taking off across Europe’s skies. The EU is set to enforce a bold, traveller-first regulation that could spell the end of costly hand luggage fees. If passed, the new law would guarantee passengers the right to carry a 7kg cabin bag and a smaller personal item for free on all EU flights—including those to and from the UK.

This is the travel update millions have been waiting for.

For years, Europe’s low-cost airlines have kept base fares deceptively low, only to ambush passengers with hidden fees at checkout. The most notorious of these? Charges for cabin bags. But that may soon be a thing of the past.

What the New Rules Say

The proposal, introduced by the EU Parliament’s transport committee on June 25, targets one of the biggest frustrations among air travelers. Under the new rules:

Passengers may carry one personal item that fits under the seat.A second item, a cabin bag up to 7kg and no more than 100cm in dimension, must be accepted for free.These conditions apply to all flights within the EU and between the EU and the UK.

This regulation seeks to eliminate the confusing, inconsistent baggage policies that vary wildly between airlines. It aims to give consumers clarity, fairness, and relief from “gotcha” fees that often surface just before boarding.

Why Airlines Are Panicking

For Europe’s low-cost giants—Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Volotea, and Vueling—this rule hits hard. These airlines have built their profits on add-ons and upsells, where hand luggage is a key revenue stream.

In fact, Ryanair alone earned more than £884 million in ancillary fees over a single three-month period. That’s over 30% of their total revenue.

Now, these charges are under direct attack.

And while this may look like a huge win for passengers, airline insiders warn of unintended consequences. If cabin bag charges disappear, they argue, base fares will rise. That means even travelers packing light might end up paying more overall.

The Real Problem: Not Enough Overhead Space

There’s another hurdle: aircraft space.

A typical short-haul plane seats around 180 passengers—but only has enough overhead bin space for about 90 standard-size cabin bags. Airlines claim they simply can’t fit a bag for every passenger, even if it becomes mandatory to allow them.

This technical limitation could create chaos at boarding gates and increase delays, especially during peak seasons. If every passenger brings a free cabin bag, how will airlines manage the overflow?

It’s a logistics nightmare waiting to happen.

Passenger Experience on the Line

Still, travelers have had enough. The current system is messy, inconsistent, and often feels like a trap. One airline allows 10kg bags, another insists on 7kg. One gives you a free carry-on, another makes you pay €50 at the gate.

This policy aims to end all of that.

Standardization would benefit everyone—from the occasional holidaymaker to frequent fliers and even families juggling kids and baggage rules. For parents, the news gets even better: the committee also backed a rule that children under 12 must be seated next to their parent without additional charges.

And that’s not all.

A new EU-wide compensation form is also in the works, streamlining reimbursement claims for delays, cancellations, and more. If passed, airlines would be required to process claims faster—and more transparently.

What Experts Are Saying

Travel industry leaders see this as a watershed moment. The skies are changing, and fast.

While low-cost carriers protest the impact on pricing and logistics, policy advocates argue it’s a necessary shift in favor of consumer protection. After all, passengers are tired of deceptive deals that hide real costs until the final payment page.

Europe’s air travel sector is vast. Millions fly every week, and clarity in pricing helps everyone—from solo backpackers to large families.

Whether fares rise slightly or not, the value of knowing exactly what you get for your money is a step toward rebuilding trust in air travel.

What Happens Next?

The committee’s vote is just the beginning.

The full European Parliament must still approve the proposal, followed by individual member states. If everything passes, the law could come into effect by late 2025 or early 2026.

In the meantime, airlines are already lobbying hard. They’re urging lawmakers to reconsider or provide flexibility. But public support is strong, and EU leaders have made it clear: passenger rights are a priority.

If this law passes, it could mark a new era of honest, transparent, and equitable air travel—one where a “low-cost ticket” truly means low cost.

Europe is on the verge of eliminating one of the most disliked aspects of flying—paying for hand luggage. But it may come at a price.

If base fares rise, passengers will have to weigh convenience against cost. Still, the promise of consistent, no-surprise travel could prove irresistible to an increasingly price-savvy generation.

Whether you’re jetting off for a weekend escape, a family holiday, or a cross-border business trip, the way you pack—and what you pay—might never be the same again.

Stay tuned. The skies are shifting.

Ireland – Ryanair Faces Turbulence at Home

Irish flagship low-cost airline Ryanair, infamous for charging extra for hand luggage, is in the spotlight as the EU moves to ban such fees. Irish travelers, long frustrated by “budget” fares that balloon at checkout, could soon benefit from simplified, all-inclusive pricing across all EU routes.

Hungary – Wizz Air Under Pressure

Hungarian travelers flying with homegrown Wizz Air may finally escape its strict baggage rules. The EU’s new proposal would prohibit the carrier from charging extra for standard cabin bags. This marks a turning point for passengers routinely charged for luggage that fits in overhead bins.

Spain – Big Shake-Up for Vueling and Volotea

Spain is home to multiple low-cost carriers like Vueling and Volotea, both of which face significant operational changes. Spanish travelers can look forward to more transparency and fewer hidden charges when flying within the EU. Regulators in Spain have already fined these airlines for unfair baggage fees.

France – Air France Stays Ahead

For French passengers flying with Air France, the ruling won’t change much—they already enjoy free carry-on allowances. But it levels the playing field across all airlines and benefits French travelers who fly with mixed or budget carriers like Transavia or EasyJet.

Netherlands – KLM Passengers Reassured

Dutch travelers flying KLM already receive generous cabin baggage allowances. However, the ruling benefits millions flying out of Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport, especially on budget airlines. Dutch regulators support the move as a win for passenger rights and pricing clarity.

United Kingdom – Post-Brexit Impacts Still Apply

Though the UK is no longer in the EU, British Airways passengers flying into the EU will still benefit from these reforms. UK-based travelers using Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air on EU routes will be entitled to free cabin baggage under the new rules.

Germany – Lufthansa Unaffected, Eurowings Hit

German national carrier Lufthansa already includes cabin luggage in its fares. However, its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings charges extra and will now need to revise policies. German travelers stand to gain greater consistency and fewer last-minute surprises.

Portugal – TAP Already in Compliance

Portuguese travelers flying with TAP Air Portugal enjoy standard carry-on allowances. But those using budget alternatives will benefit most from the EU’s sweeping reform, especially frequent flyers between Portugal and other EU hotspots.

Poland – LOT Polish Airlines Keeps Its Lead

Polish national carrier LOT does not charge for hand luggage, giving it a competitive edge. The new regulation ensures travelers flying on low-cost competitors like Wizz Air or Ryanair out of Warsaw will now get the same free baggage rights.

Italy – ITA Airways Compliant, Budget Carriers Affected

Italy’s national airline ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) already offers inclusive hand luggage. However, Italian travelers using Vueling or EasyJet will soon enjoy the same freedom from baggage fees, thanks to the EU’s latest pro-consumer stance.

Finland – Finnair’s Integrity Confirmed

Finnish carrier Finnair already allows hand luggage for free. This move by the EU bolsters Finnair’s reputation and brings consistency to passengers using budget airlines across Europe, especially for Nordic travelers often affected by inconsistent rules.

Sweden / Denmark / Norway – SAS Faces Competitive Shift

SAS, operating across Scandinavia, includes free cabin baggage. The regulation may pressure smaller airlines operating in the region to align their policies. Scandinavian travelers, known for value-seeking travel habits, will appreciate clearer pricing and fairer conditions.