Countries Participating in EuroMillionsCountries

Currently, 9 countries take part in organizing and running the EuroMillions lottery:

Thanks to this multinational collaboration, EuroMillions enjoys a massive player base and prize pool, making it one of the most popular and rewarding lottery games in the world.

Beyond these 9 core members, players in certain additional territories, including Andorra, Monaco, the Isle of Man, and Liechtenstein, can also participate in EuroMillions draws through arrangements with neighbouring national operators.

A brief history of EuroMillions

EuroMillions was first launched on 13 February 2004, with the inaugural draw held in Madrid. The initial organising countries were Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. Later that same year, on 8 October 2004, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland officially joined, expanding the game’s reach across Europe.

Since then, the lottery has maintained a consistent draw schedule and has awarded billions in prizes, including some of the largest jackpots ever seen in Europe. The record jackpot stands at €230 million, reflecting just how large the prize pool can grow before the cap rules come into effect.

Draw schedule: when and where draws take place

EuroMillions draws take place twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday. The draw is held in Paris, France, at approximately 21:05 CET (20:05 UTC). Results are published shortly after the draw closes and are available to check online immediately.

Ticket sales close roughly two hours before each draw, so make sure you buy your ticket in good time if you want to enter a specific draw.

How to play EuroMillions

Playing EuroMillions is straightforward. For each line, you choose:

• 5 main numbers from 1 to 50
• 2 Lucky Stars from 1 to 12

To win the jackpot, you need to match all 5 main numbers and both Lucky Stars. However, EuroMillions has 13 prize tiers in total, so you can win smaller amounts by matching fewer numbers. For example, matching just 2 main numbers is enough to win a prize at the lowest tier.

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 139,838,160. The odds of winning any prize at all are roughly 1 in 13.

The jackpot cap

The EuroMillions jackpot has a maximum cap of €200 million. Once the jackpot reaches this limit, it stays there for a maximum of five consecutive draws. If it is still not won after those five draws at the cap, the prize money rolls down to the next winning tier, meaning a much larger number of players share in a significant payout. This rule ensures that money always eventually reaches winners.

Official lottery operators by country

Each participating country runs EuroMillions through its own national lottery operator. These are the official bodies responsible for ticket sales, prize payments, and compliance in each territory:

• Belgium: Loterie Nationale / Nationale Loterij
• France: Française des Jeux (FDJ)
• Switzerland: Swisslos and Loterie Romande
• Luxembourg: Loterie Nationale du Luxembourg
• United Kingdom: Allwyn (formerly Camelot)
• Ireland: Premier Lotteries Ireland
• Austria: Österreichische Lotterien
• Portugal: Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
• Spain: Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (LAE)

These operators work together under a shared framework that governs how the jackpot grows, how prizes are calculated, and how winners are verified across borders.

Price per bet by country

Originally, a EuroMillions ticket cost the equivalent of £2.00 or €2.00, but the price has since increased, reflecting both inflation and the addition of national add-on games tied to each ticket.

• United Kingdom: £2.50 (includes Millionaire Maker)
• Switzerland: CHF 3.50
• All other countries: €2.50

Each ticket covers a single bet (5 main numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars) and includes participation in country-specific raffles or promotions, depending on where you buy it.

Where to buy EuroMillions tickets

You can buy EuroMillions tickets in two main ways:

• In person: Authorised retailers such as newsagents, supermarkets, and lottery kiosks across all participating countries sell tickets up until the cut-off time before each draw.
• Online: Most national operators offer official online platforms where you can purchase tickets, set up subscriptions, and check results. In the UK, for example, you can buy directly through the National Lottery website or app. Third-party lottery concierge services also let players from some regions purchase tickets online.

If you play online, make sure you use your national operator’s official site or a regulated platform to ensure your ticket is valid and your winnings can be claimed correctly.

Additional games by country

In addition to the main EuroMillions draw, many participating countries offer exclusive add-on games, giving players extra chances to win significant prizes with no extra number selection required:

• Spain: El Millón, guarantees €1,000,000 in every draw (included in the ticket price).
• France: My Million, guarantees €1,000,000 per draw (included in the ticket price).
• Portugal: M1lhão, a weekly prize of €1,000,000 (included in the ticket price).
• United Kingdom: Millionaire Maker, guarantees one UK player wins £1,000,000 in each draw (included in the ticket price).
• Ireland: Ireland Plus, an optional add-on costing €1.00 extra per line. It gives Irish players a second-chance draw exclusive to Ireland, with a separate prize fund. Players do not need to select additional numbers to enter.

Which countries have won the most EuroMillions jackpots?

Because all 9 countries share the same draws, jackpot wins are spread across the entire player base. However, the countries with the largest populations of players naturally tend to produce more winners over time.

France and the United Kingdom have historically produced the most jackpot winners, which is consistent with their larger populations and high ticket sales volumes. Spain and Portugal have also seen a significant number of large wins over the years.

Smaller countries like Luxembourg and Austria have produced jackpot winners too, demonstrating that where you buy your ticket does not affect your odds. Every participating country uses the same draw, the same number pool, and the same prize structure.

Some notable jackpot wins include a €230 million prize won in the UK in 2022 and a €220 million jackpot claimed in France in 2021, both of which were among the largest lottery prizes ever paid out in European history.

Draw machine details

EuroMillions uses certified mechanical draw machines to ensure the randomness and integrity of each draw. The machines are manufactured by Circled Air and the models used are known as the Stresa (for main numbers) and the Meliá (for Lucky Stars). Each machine is tested and audited regularly by independent observers before and after draws to confirm that the process is fair and transparent.

Why EuroMillions stands out

The multinational structure of EuroMillions is what makes it so compelling. By pooling ticket sales across 9 countries and tens of millions of players, the lottery can build jackpots far larger than any single national lottery could achieve on its own. Combined with the twice-weekly draw schedule, the wide availability of tickets online and in person, and the variety of country-specific add-on games, EuroMillions offers a complete lottery experience whether you are a regular player or picking up a ticket for the first time.

Check the latest results after every Tuesday and Friday draw to see if your numbers have come up.unds/euros, reflecting not only inflation but also the inclusion of additional national games and larger jackpots.

• United Kingdom: £2.50 (includes Millionaire Maker)
• Switzerland: CHF 3.50
• All other countries: €2.50

Each ticket allows for a single bet (5 numbers + 2 Lucky Stars) and includes participation in certain country-specific raffles or promotions, depending on the location.

Taxes

While most participating countries do not tax lottery prizes, there are notable exceptions:

• Spain: A 20% tax is applied to prizes exceeding €40,000. This tax has been in place since 2012.
• Portugal: Winnings over €5,000 are subject to a 20% tax.
• Switzerland: Winnings over CHF 1,000 are taxed, with varying rates depending on the canton.

In countries like the UK, France, and Ireland, lottery winnings are tax-free, and players receive the full amount of their prizes.