Since its launch in 2004, EuroMillions has become one of the most popular lottery games in the United Kingdom, offering life-changing jackpots and twice-weekly draws that capture the attention and imagination of millions.
With massive prizes up for grabs and participation across multiple European countries, EuroMillions gives UK players the chance to compete for some of the largest jackpots in the world.
In this guide, we will explain exactly how EuroMillions works in the UK, so you can play with confidence.
What is EuroMillions?
EuroMillions is a multi-country European lottery featuring two weekly draws, held every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 8 p.m. GMT.
Ticket sales typically close around 30 minutes before each draw and reopen roughly an hour after the results are announced.
There are 13 different prize tiers, rewarding players for a range of matching number combinations.
Most prize amounts are fixed, with the exception of the jackpot.
The top prize begins at €17 million and increases based on ticket sales.
If no one wins the jackpot in a given draw, the prize rolls over to the next one, continuing to grow until it reaches a cap of €250 million.
The biggest jackpot ever awarded in EuroMillions was €230,000,000, won on July 19th, 2022.
If the jackpot reaches its €250 million limit and is still not claimed, it stays at that maximum for the following draw.
During this time, any additional funds that would have boosted the jackpot are instead allocated to the next prize tier draw.
If the jackpot goes unclaimed at the cap for four consecutive draws, the entire top prize is shared among winners in the highest tier with matching numbers.
How Does EuroMillions Work?
To land the jackpot in EuroMillions, players must match a total of seven numbers, namely five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars.
The five main numbers are drawn from 1 to 50, while the Lucky Stars come from a separate pool of 1 to 12.
The order of the numbers doesn’t matter within each group, but the main numbers and Lucky Stars must match in their respective categories.
EuroMillions Prize Breakdown
Prizes are paid across multiple tiers depending on how many numbers you match. The full structure is as follows:
- 5 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: Jackpot
- 5 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: €200,738*
- 5 Main Numbers + No Lucky Star: €20,851*
- 4 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: €1,299
- 4 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: €120
- 4 Main Numbers + No Lucky Star: €57
- 3 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: €39
- 3 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: €14
- 3 Main Numbers + No Lucky Star: €11
- 2 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: €9
- 2 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: €7
- 2 Main Numbers + No Lucky Stars: €6
- 1 Main Number + 2 Lucky Stars: €4
How to Purchase EuroMillions Tickets
You have the option to buy EuroMillions tickets either online or through authorised retail outlets. This includes convenience stores, newsagents and other licensed sellers.
When entering, you have the choice of selecting your own numbers or opting for a random selection through Lucky Dip, where the system generates numbers automatically.
A single line costs £2.50. Players can add up to 70 lines on one ticket.
Online lottery sites also allow you to pick which of the two weekly draws, Tuesday or Friday, you would like to enter. You can also set up repeat entries with the same numbers for upcoming draws.
Winning the EuroMillions
Draws are televised, and results are also published online shortly after they take place.
Jackpot winners have the option to stay anonymous. There is a set claim period, giving winners time to seek financial advice and make arrangements before coming forward.
Prizes must be claimed where the ticket was purchased. Even though multiple nationals take part in EuroMillions, winnings cannot be paid out across borders.
Claim processes vary depending on both the prize amount and the country involved. In the UK, all EuroMillions winnings are paid as a lump sum, regardless of the amount.
Whether you win £1,000, £1 million, or over £20 million, the entire prize is paid directly to you in a single payment.
What Is the EuroMillions Payout Percentage?
The EuroMillions lottery typically returns about 50–55% of ticket sales to players as prizes.
- This means that for every €1 spent on a ticket, roughly €0.50–€0.55 goes back to winners.
- The remaining funds are used for good causes, operating costs, and retailer commissions.
- Payout rates can vary slightly from draw to draw, depending on the number of winners and prize tiers.
Claiming EuroMillions Winnings
You have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize. After this period, unclaimed prizes become ineligible. It is important to claim as soon as possible.
To claim your winnings, contact the National Lottery by phone. A National Lottery advisor will arrange a meeting with a member of the Camelot team.
This meeting can take place at your home or another agreed location.
During the appointment, your win will be verified, usually by showing your winning ticket along with two forms of identification. Once verification is complete, the prize payment is processed.
How Long Until You Receive Your Winnings?
It is recommended to open a new private bank account specifically for your winnings. This protects your privacy, and some banks have dedicated teams that work with lottery winners.
After verification and the new account setup, the prize is typically transferred within 48 hours.
National Lottery advisors are available for guidance during this process, but once the money has landed in your account, it is yours to use freely.
Taxes on EuroMillions Winnings
In the UK, all National Lottery prizes, including EuroMillions, are tax-free. The amount you see as your prize is exactly what you will receive in your bank account.
No deductions apply, no matter how large your win.
Odds of Winning EuroMillions
When you play EuroMillions, your overall chance of winning a prize is 1 in 13.
Below is a full breakdown of the odds for each prize tier, starting from matching two numbers and going all the way up to matching five numbers plus two Lucky Stars to win the jackpot.
| Prize Tier | Match Requirement | Odds of Winning |
| 1 (Jackpot) | 5 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 139,838,160 |
| 2 | 5 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 6,991,908 |
| 3 | 5 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 3,107,515 |
| 4 | 4 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 621,503 |
| 5 | 4 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 31,075 |
| 6 | 3 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 14,125 |
| 7 | 4 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 13,811 |
| 8 | 2 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 985 |
| 9 | 3 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 706 |
| 10 | 3 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 314 |
| 11 | 1 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 188 |
| 12 | 2 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 49 |
| 13 | 2 numbers + 2 stars | 1 in 22 |
Improving your Odds at EuroMillions
There is no realistic way to guarantee a EuroMillions jackpot win; achieving that would require purchasing every possible number combination, which would be astronomically expensive.
However, while you can’t change the fixed mathematical odds of each line, there are a few strategies that may improve your overall chances of winning a prize or increase your likelihood of not having to share one.
Join a Syndicate
A lottery syndicate allows a group of players to pool their money and buy multiple lines together. Instead of paying for dozens of entries yourself, you purchase a share of a larger batch of numbers.
This doesn’t alter the odds of any individual line, but it does increase the total number of combinations you’re collectively entering into the draw, boosting the group’s overall chance of landing a prize.
The trade-off is that any winnings must be shared among members.
Choose Random Numbers
Every number combination has exactly the same probability of being drawn. A sequence like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 is just as likely as a completely scattered set of numbers.
However, payouts can be affected by how many players match the same combination.
Many participants pick numbers tied to birthdays or anniversaries, meaning they often choose numbers between 1 and 31. Others favour simple patterns such as 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
If you want to reduce the risk of splitting a prize, consider selecting random numbers, particularly including numbers above 31, as these combinations may be less commonly chosen.
Play Consistently
Some players choose to enter regularly rather than occasionally. While this does not improve the odds per draw, consistent participation means you won’t miss out if your usual numbers happen to come up.
Avoid Obvious Patterns
Sequences, straight lines on a playslip, or visually neat patterns are popular choices.
Since many people gravitate toward these, avoiding them may slightly improve your chances of being the sole winner if those numbers are drawn.
Manage Expectations
Finally, remember that EuroMillions is a game of chance. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 13, but jackpot odds remain extremely long.
Setting a budget and treating play as entertainment rather than an investment is the smartest approach.
While no strategy can overcome the mathematics of the draw, these steps may help you maximise value from your entries and potentially avoid sharing a win.
The National Lottery and EuroMillions
While the EuroMillions is a separate European lottery game, in the UK it is operated as part of the wider National Lottery portfolio.
Here is how they connect:
Same Operator, Different Game
In the UK, EuroMillions tickets are sold through The National Lottery, the same organisation that runs Lotto, Thunderball and other UK draw games.
While EuroMillions is played across multiple European countries, UK players buy their entries via The National Lottery system.
UK-Specific Raffle: Millionaire Maker
Every EuroMillions ticket bought in the UK automatically includes entry into the UK Millionaire Maker raffle.
This guarantees at least one £1 million winner in the UK for every EuroMillions draw, something players in other participating countries do not receive.
Funding Good Causes
Like other National Lottery games, a portion of each UK EuroMillions ticket sale goes towards National Lottery-funded projects. This supports arts, sport, heritage and community initiatives across the UK.
Shared Jackpot Pool
Although tickets are sold nationally, the EuroMillions jackpot pool is combined across all participating countries. That’s why the top prize can grow so large as sales from multiple nations contribute to the same jackpot.
In short, EuroMillions is an international lottery game, but in the UK it is fully integrated into The National Lottery system, meaning you play it through the UK National Lottery and it contributes to UK good causes.
Record-Breaking EuroMillions Jackpot Wins
£195 million – Biggest UK Win (2022)
A UK ticket holder claimed the largest EuroMillions jackpot ever won in the UK, taking home approximately £195 million in July 2022 after matching all five numbers and both Lucky Stars. The winner chose to remain anonymous and came forward to claim the prize after verification.
£184 million – Joe & Jess Thwaite
Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucestershire won around £184 million in May 2022 with a Lucky Dip ticket — at the time making them Britain’s biggest ever EuroMillions winners. They described the moment as surreal and life‑changing, with celebrations shared publicly.
£177 million – Anonymous Winner (2024)
Another UK ticket holder scooped about £177 million in November 2024, making them one of the largest EuroMillions winners in the country’s history. Like many big winners, they chose to keep their identity private.
EuroMillions in the UK – FAQs
What is EuroMillions?
EuroMillions is a pan-European lottery game played across 9 countries. In the UK, it is operated by the National Lottery, offering massive jackpots, two weekly draws, and the UK-exclusive Millionaire Maker raffle.
How do I play the EuroMillions?
Pick five main numbers (1–50) and two Lucky Stars (1–12). You can choose your own numbers or use a Lucky Dip to select numbers randomly. Each line costs £2.50 in the UK.
How can I improve my chances of winning the EuroMillions?
Like all lotteries, EuroMillions is a game of chance. You can improve your odds by joining a syndicate, using random numbers and avoiding patterns such as birthdays.
How do I know if I have won the EuroMillions?
If you have purchased tickets online, the National Lottery sends a notification email a few hours after the draw. Check your National Lottery account or watch the live draw to see the winning numbers.
How is the EuroMillions prize paid?
All EuroMillions winnings in the UK are paid as a lump sum directly into your bank account. Transfers usually occur within 48 hours after verification.
Do I have to pay tax on my EuroMillions winnings?
No. EuroMillions prizes are tax-free in the UK, meaning the amount you win is exactly what you receive.