Winning the lottery offers a dazzling financial escape, but how does the taxman view your newfound fortune?
The ultimate French dream: matching five numbers and a bonus ball to hit the jackpot. Annually, 27 million people in France play the lottery, each holding onto the hope of winning millions. This year, 31 players have already experienced the life-altering jump into a world where financial worries vanish.
The year 2025 has already seen significant lottery wins. The European Loto’s cousin, Euromillions, awarded an Irish player a staggering €250 million in June 2025, closely followed by an Austrian winner who secured €243 million in March. Closer to home, a family in Côtes d’Armor claimed a €12 million Loto jackpot on April 23rd. Such windfalls, often life-changing, prompt a crucial question: does this financial windfall also trigger a fiscal shift?
This is a primary concern for lottery and Euromillions winners: what are the tax implications of such a sum? Especially with potential increases in wealth taxation, this can be a source of anxiety for lucky recipients.
However, the Directorate General for Public Finances clarifies the situation regarding lottery winnings, perhaps to the surprise of many: there is no tax payable on lottery or other games of chance winnings. Not a single cent of social contributions or income tax is due to the public treasury. The full amount received lands directly in the winner’s bank account.
It’s significant to note, though, that like any taxpayer, a new millionaire from the lottery or Euromillions will be subject to taxes on any financial investments they make. The amount of tax they pay will then depend on the nature and performance of these investments.
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