Carry-On Rules for Spain and Portugal: Complete Guide

The Iberian Peninsula is one of Europe's most popular travel regions, served by a full spectrum of carriers from full-service flag carriers to some of the continent's most restrictive budget airlines. Understanding which airline you are flying — and which terminal you are using — makes a significant difference.

Iberia

Economy, including Basic, and Premium Economy include one 56×40×25 cm, 10 kg cabin bag plus a 40×30×15 cm personal item. Business allows 14 kg per bag: one on short/medium routes, normally two on long-haul and its connections. Departures from US airports are limited to one overhead bag. Check the actual operating carrier and route exception.

Use the Iberia fare guide and Basic bag checker. Do not rely on an oversized bag being accepted.

Iberia Express

The airline's official baggage page includes hand baggage in every fare package: one 56×40×25 cm, 10 kg bag in Economy and a 40×30×15 cm personal item. Its Business fare table specifies one bag up to 14 kg. The large-bag dimensions include handles, pockets and wheels. A full flight may require a compliant cabin bag to travel in the hold free of charge.

Vueling

A 40×30×20 cm underseat bag is included. The 55×40×20 cm overhead bag up to 10 kg is paid in Fly Light, a baggage choice in Fly, and included in Fly Grande. Check which option was selected; a checked bag does not imply an additional overhead bag.

A bag fitting Iberia's 25 cm depth may exceed Vueling's 20 cm limit. Measure the packed bag rather than relying on its cabin-size label.

TAP Portugal

TAP Air Portugal: TAP Economy includes one cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 25 cm and 10 kg, plus one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm and 2 kg. Discount also includes the main bag; checked baggage is separate. Business permits one main bag to/from North America, or two on the listed domestic, European, African and South American routes. Check the TAP guide before a mixed itinerary.

Air Europa

Economy includes one 55×35×25 cm bag up to 10 kg plus a 40×30×15 cm personal item. Business permits two main bags at 14 kg combined. Extra cabin bags cannot be purchased; noncompliant bags must be checked and may incur charges. Even compliant baggage can go to the hold if cabin space is unavailable.

Air Europa allowance and checker

Azores connections

Check the operating carrier and aircraft-specific conditions for each Azores segment, especially an inter-island connection. Do not transfer a mainland flight's cabin dimensions or weight allowance to a separate operator. Confirm any required hold carriage and collection point before boarding.

Budget Airlines in Spain and Portugal

Budget airlines dominate short-haul routes across the Iberian Peninsula, and their policies differ from the full-service carriers above.

Ryanair: non-priority passengers are limited to a 40×30×20 cm under-seat bag. Priority passengers may bring 55x 40x 20 cm in the overhead.

easyJet includes one small underseat bag up to 45×36×20 cm and 15 kg. A large 56×45×25 cm, 15 kg cabin bag requires the applicable paid option, fare or membership benefit; it is not included in the base fare. See the easyJet guide.

Airport preparation

For Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO), confirm the terminal and gate from your current booking and airport flight information. Do not infer the terminal solely from the airline name. Plan any transfer using the airport's current transport guidance and your airline's check-in and boarding deadlines. Queue times vary; this guide cannot guarantee fast security or a connection time.