Prizes

EuroMillions currently has 13 prize categories.

The minimum guaranteed EuroMillions jackpot is £17 million. Find out about the biggest jackpots in history.

Prize categories

Depending on the hits obtained in the main game matrix (50 numbers) and in the special matrix (2 stars), the prizes obtained per bet are as follows:

For the usual prize amounts, you can check the latest prizes awarded in the draw in the results section.

Prizes taxes

Lottery winnings in the UK are tax exempt. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not treat lottery winnings as a source of income. Therefore, if you win the lottery, rest assured that your prize will be paid into your account in full.

Minor prizes and major prizes

Minor prizes are those between £500 and £50,000 and major prizes are those slips or tickets that accumulate an amount greater than £50,000.

In order to optimise the UK National Lottery prize claiming process, it is essential to follow the guidelines set out according to the amount won. The updated procedures for each prize range are detailed below.

Up to £500:

Prizes up to £500 will be credited directly to your player account shortly after the draw. These winnings can be transferred to your registered bank account or used for future ticket purchases.

Between £500 and £50,000:

For prizes in this range, you will need to complete an online process within 180 days of the draw. This process involves providing your personal and bank details, as well as sending the physical ticket to the office of Allwyn, the current operator of the National Lottery. This change has led to delays in some cases, so it is recommended that you follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful claim.

Over £50,000:

For prizes over £50,000, it is necessary to contact the National Lottery Customer Service Team on 0845 278 8000. A representative will arrange a personalised delivery of your prize, which can take place at your home or at a Regional Lottery Centre.

Additional considerations:

• Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw. If not claimed within this period, the prize goes to good cause funds.
• Taxation: In the UK, lottery prizes are not taxable if you play within the UK. However, if you live outside the UK, it is advisable to check the tax laws in your country of residence.
• Scams: Beware of potential scams. You will never be asked for payment to claim a legitimate prize. If someone asks you for money or personal information to release a prize, it is likely to be a scam.

For detailed and up-to-date information, visit the official UK National Lottery website or contact their customer service team directly.

Jackpot

The ‘jackpot’ is the proportion of the prize pool that is allocated to the top prize category. In EuroMillions the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the top tier is £17 million, and the maximum jackpot that can be won is £250 million.

The jackpot will be shared among all winners of the first category, and in the next draw it will start again at £17 million.
When there is no winner, the fund is carried over to the next draw and the jackpot grows.

In the case of reaching 250 million euros (or the maximum limit established at any given time), and there is no winner in 3 consecutive draws, the jackpot will be distributed in the fourth draw among the winners of the first category (normally the second category, 5 numbers + 1 star).

Special jackpot

From time to time, EuroMillions plays a special draw that starts at £130 million, in what is known as Big Friday. If it is not distributed to the top winners, it continues to grow in the usual way.

Main features of the Big Fridays:

• Guaranteed minimum jackpot: Each Big Friday guarantees an initial prize of €130 million. If there are no first category winners (5 numbers and 2 stars), the jackpot is accumulated for the next draw and can reach up to 240 million euros, the maximum limit established for Euromillions.
• Frequency: Generally, at least two Big Friday draws are held each year, typically in February and December, with the possibility of adding a third draw, usually in June. The exact dates are announced in advance.
• Participation: The mechanics for participating in a Big Friday are identical to those of regular EuroMillions draws. Players must select five numbers from 1 to 50 and two stars from 1 to 12. Each bet costs 2.50 euros.

Millionaire Maker

Millionaire Maker is an additional draw within the EuroMillions draw itself, which awards 1 million euros to the bet with the code that matches the winning code.

Euromillions HotPicks

EuroMillions HotPicks is a UK-exclusive add-on game based on the main EuroMillions draw numbers. It allows players to select between 1 and 5 numbers and be eligible for prizes ranging from £10 to £1 million. Unlike traditional EuroMillions, in HotPicks you need to match all selected numbers to win the corresponding prize.

EuroMillions prize conversion and its impact on UK and Swiss players

EuroMillions uses the Euro (€) as the base currency, which means that prizes must be converted into Pounds Sterling (£) in the United Kingdom and Swiss Francs (CHF) in Switzerland at the prevailing exchange rate. This may cause fluctuations in the amounts announced for winners in these countries.

How the exchange rate affects prizes.

When a player from the UK or Switzerland wins the jackpot, the amount announced in Euros is converted to the local currency. Depending on the exchange rate, winners may receive more or less money than expected.

• Benefit for UK players: If the pound sterling is weak against the euro, the amount in pounds will be higher.
• Impact on Switzerland: Similarly, the value of the prize in CHF will vary depending on the conversion of the euro to the Swiss franc.

Calculation of smaller prizes and pari-mutuel system

The smaller prizes in EuroMillions are determined using a pari-mutuel system, which means that the total prize pool is distributed among the winners based on the total amount wagered in each country.

For example, the price of a ticket in the UK is £2.50, of which:

• £1.74 goes to the main EuroMillions draw.
• 0.76 £ finances the participation in the Millionaire Maker, a draw exclusive to the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, in euro zone countries, players pay €2.20 for the main draw and an additional cost for supplementary draws such as My Million (France), El Millón (Spain) or M1lhão (Portugal).

Adjustment of awards according to the exchange rate.

Since ticket prices vary between countries, if the exchange rate makes £1.74 worth less than €2.20, UK prizes may be adjusted to balance the difference and ensure a fair distribution.

Summary

The exchange rate is a key factor in the conversion of EuroMillions prizes in the UK and Switzerland. Currency fluctuations can influence the final amount received by winners, benefiting British players when the pound is weaker against the euro. In addition, the pari-mutuel system ensures that the distribution of prizes remains equitable in all participating countries.