Hand Luggage Fee: EU Mandates Inclusion in Initial Price

Starting from 2027, airlines in Europe will be required to include the cost of hand luggage in the initial price displayed at the time of reservation. This agreement was reached between the EU Council and the European Parliament in June 2026 and represents one of the largest reforms in air passenger rights in recent decades.

What Changes in Practice

The main change is transparency: the price that appears when you search for a flight will already have to include the hand luggage fee. The game of showing €9,99 during the search and charging €29,99 at checkout ends.

This makes real comparisons between airlines easier — especially useful for Brazilians who frequently travel between Spain, Portugal, and Brazil.

Delays Compensation Becomes Easier

The new rules also affect compensation for delays:

• €250 to €600 in compensation for flights with more than 3 hours of delay (the amount varies according to the flight distance)
• The airline has a maximum of 30 days to respond to the compensation request
• You have up to 9 months after the flight to file your claim

Another important novelty: the no-show clause is prohibited — if you missed the outbound flight, the airline can no longer prevent you from boarding the return flight. This was a common and abusive practice of some airlines.

What's Still Missing

The Portuguese consumer protection association Deco expressed disappointment with the agreement: they wanted to ensure the right to carry one personal item and one reasonable-sized hand luggage without additional cost — which was not established.

In other words, hand luggage fees will continue to exist but must appear in the price from the beginning, without surprises at checkout.

Ryanair criticized the rules, arguing that the obligation to advertise higher prices would deter passengers who prefer cheaper tickets without extra baggage.

When Does It Come into Effect

The new rules come into effect starting from the second half of 2027. Until then, current practices continue.

If you frequently travel within Europe or on the route between Spain and Brazil, it's worth keeping these dates in mind and knowing your rights. By 2027, compare prices carefully: what seems cheaper with luggage already included may be the best real option.

Source: Público, June 16, 2026