Hand-baggage fees: Spain’s fines are in court, EU law sets a free small bag

Spain’s €179m fines are still being fought; the new EU rules guarantee a free personal item, not a free trolley bag.

In November 2024 Spain’s consumer ministry fined Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian and Volotea almost €179 million in total, partly for charging for cabin bags; the airlines took the fines to court. In October 2025 the Commission opened an infringement case against Spain, arguing its aviation law limits airlines’ freedom to set prices. The new EU air passenger rules, signed on 16 September 2026, settle part of the question: a personal item up to 40×30×15 cm must fly free, while a larger cabin bag can still cost extra but must be shown in the default fare.

For youCharged for a small bag that fits under the seat? Keep the receipt. Charges for a trolley bag remain legal, including under the new rules.

Next: No final court ruling on the Spanish fines has been published (not officially confirmed). The new EU rules apply about a year after publication in the Official Journal, expected late 2027.

Verified against the sources above on 29 September 2026. Plain-language summary — not the legal text and not legal advice.