"If I win the €17 Million jackpot, do I keep it all?" It's the most common question new players ask. The answer depends entirely on where you play.
While the EuroMillions rules are consistent across all 9 participating countries, the tax laws are not. Here is the definitive breakdown for 2026 so you know exactly what to expect.
Tax-Free Countries (The Lucky Ones)
In most participating countries, lottery winnings are paid out as a lump sum and are completely tax-free. You get exactly what is advertised.
| Country | Tax Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 0% | No tax on winnings. Interest earned on the money later is taxable. |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 0% | Lottery winnings are tax-free. |
| 🇫🇷 France | 0% | Tax-free lump sum. |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 0% | Tax-free lump sum. |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 0% | Tax-free lump sum. |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 0% | Tax-free lump sum. |
📉 Countries with Lottery Taxes
Three countries currently apply a special tax on lottery winnings above a certain threshold. If you buy a physical ticket in these countries, the tax is deducted automatically before payout.
🇪🇸 Spain
20% Tax on amounts over €40,000.
Example: If
you win €100,000, the first €40k is tax-free. The remaining €60k is taxed at 20%
(€12k). You receive €88,000.
🇵🇹 Portugal
20% Stamp Duty on amounts over €5,000.
Example: A €10,000 win would have €1,000 deducted (20% of the €5,000 taxable
portion).
🇨🇭 Switzerland
35% Withholding Tax on winnings over CHF 1,000,000.
Note: This varies significantly by canton (region) and some tax may be
reclaimed.
Online Betting Position
When you bet on the outcome of the lottery online (for example, with Lottoland), the prize structure generally matches the official lottery.
- If the official lottery pays out a tax-free lump sum (like in the UK or Austria), Lottoland pays out the same amount.
- If the official lottery would deduct tax (like in Spain), Lottoland may also deduct equivalent amount to put you in the same position as a local winner.
The biggest advantage of playing online is security. There is no physical ticket to lose, and winnings are automatically credited to your verified account.
