How Many Numbers to Win a Prize on EuroMillions? Prize Breakdown
Dreaming of a big EuroMillions prize is common — millions of people in the UK enter each week. But prizes aren’t only for the jackpot: matching part of the draw can still give you a payout.
This guide explains exactly what combinations win, how prize levels and payouts work, the odds for each tier, and how prizes are claimed in the UK. Read on to see how close a set of numbers needs to be to earn a prize and what to expect if you win.
EuroMillions Prize Tiers Explained
EuroMillions divides wins into 13 prize tiers, from the jackpot down to smaller amounts for matching only a couple of numbers. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Star numbers from 1 to 12. The more main numbers and Lucky Stars you match, the higher the prize tier you reach.
The top tier requires all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. The second tier is five main numbers and one Lucky Star, and the third tier is five main numbers without any Lucky Stars. Further down the table are combinations such as four main numbers with both or one Lucky Star, three main numbers with one or two Lucky Stars, and several lower tiers for two or fewer main numbers combined with one or two Lucky Stars. Prize amounts vary per tier depending on how many winners share the pot that week.
Understanding these tiers makes it easier to see where a particular set of results fits, and the next section looks at what winners in each tier might actually receive.
What Are The Prize Amounts for Each Winning Combination?
Prize amounts change from draw to draw because the total prize fund is shared among winners in each tier and depends on ticket sales. The jackpot often starts at around £14 million and can rise substantially if it rolls over. The top cap is €240 million, converted to pounds for UK winners.
Matching five main numbers and both Lucky Stars wins the jackpot, which is the only fixed description of amount: the actual sum varies. The second tier (five main numbers plus one Lucky Star) regularly pays six-figure amounts, while five main numbers alone typically yield prizes in the tens of thousands. Middle tiers — for example, four numbers with one or two Lucky Stars — often pay from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. The lowest tiers, such as matching two main numbers with one Lucky Star, usually produce modest returns of only a few pounds but occur far more often than higher-tier prizes.
Lucky Stars play a key role in moving a win into a higher bracket. A combination with one or two Lucky Stars will often be worth substantially more than the same number of main numbers alone. The following sections explain how likely each outcome is and how winnings are distributed after a draw.
Matching All Numbers: Jackpot Tier
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match five main numbers and both Lucky Stars. Because the number of possible combinations is huge, jackpots are comparatively rare and can grow large if not won for several draws. When the jackpot does hit, its size is determined by the accumulated rollover and the share of the prize pool allocated to that tier.
Lower Prizes: Fewer Numbers Matched
As the number of matches decreases, prizes fall. The second tier — five main numbers plus one Lucky Star — is the next biggest payout after the jackpot. Matching five main numbers alone is the third tier and generally pays substantially less than the second tier. Further down, combinations that include fewer main numbers but one or two Lucky Stars will rank above similar combinations without Lucky Stars. At the bottom of the scale, matches worth a few pounds are common and offer a small return on a ticket.
How Does the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker Work?
In the UK, each EuroMillions line bought generates a unique Millionaire Maker code that is entered automatically into a separate draw. After the main numbers are drawn, a code is randomly selected and the holder of that exact code wins a set £1 million prize. On special draws there may be multiple Millionaire Maker winners.
You do not choose these codes; they are generated when the ticket is purchased. The chances of winning depend on the total number of codes issued for that draw. The Millionaire Maker runs independently from the main number draw and provides a different route to a large, guaranteed prize.
Odds of Winning a EuroMillions Prize
EuroMillions odds are calculated from the total number of possible combinations of main numbers and Lucky Stars. The probabilities vary widely across tiers. Below are the official odds for each prize level:
Five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars (jackpot): 1 in 139,838,160
Five main numbers plus one Lucky Star: 1 in 6,991,908
Five main numbers: 1 in 3,107,515
Four main numbers plus two Lucky Stars: 1 in 621,503
Four main numbers plus one Lucky Star: 1 in 31,076
Four main numbers: 1 in 13,812
Three main numbers plus two Lucky Stars: 1 in 14,126
Three main numbers plus one Lucky Star: 1 in 706
Three main numbers: 1 in 314
Two main numbers plus two Lucky Stars: 1 in 985
Two main numbers plus one Lucky Star: 1 in 49
Two main numbers: 1 in 22
One main number plus two Lucky Stars: 1 in 188
Overall, the chance of winning any prize in EuroMillions is about 1 in 13. These figures demonstrate how rare the higher-tier wins are compared with the lower-tier prizes, and they help set realistic expectations before entering a draw. The next section describes how prizes are paid out once you have a winning ticket.
How Are EuroMillions Prizes Paid Out in the UK?
How you claim a prize depends on the ticket type and the size of the win. Small prizes bought in a shop can usually be collected directly from a retailer. Larger amounts require a visit to an authorised payout centre or a postal claim. Online wins under a certain threshold are paid straight into the player’s account, while substantial online wins trigger additional identity checks before the funds are released. These checks are standard practice to ensure prizes are paid to the correct person.
There is a 180-day window from the draw date to claim a prize; unclaimed sums are redirected to National Lottery-funded projects. In the UK, lottery prizes are paid tax-free, though income generated from investing any winnings may be taxable. If unsure about claiming a prize, the official National Lottery help resources provide clear guidance. This practical information leads naturally into answers to common questions players ask.
Common Questions About EuroMillions Prizes
Players often have similar practical queries about taxation, time limits and lost tickets. Below are straightforward answers to the most frequent points.
Are EuroMillions prizes tax-free in the UK?
Yes. Lottery winnings are not treated as taxable income in the UK, so the amount received as a prize is not subject to income tax. Future returns from investing those funds could be taxable.
How long do I have to claim a prize?
You must claim within 180 days of the draw. After that period, unclaimed prizes are allocated to National Lottery good causes.
What should I do if I lose my ticket?
Contact the National Lottery as soon as possible and provide as much detail as you can. There are specific rules and evidence requirements for lost or damaged tickets, and claims must be submitted within 30 days of the draw for such cases.
Can prizes be shared if multiple tickets win the same tier?
Yes. When more than one ticket wins the same prize tier, the available prize money for that tier is divided equally between all winners.
If you need support with controlled play or help managing participation, confidential guidance is available from recognised support organisations.
This wraps up how many numbers you need to win various EuroMillions prizes, how prize levels and payouts work, and what to expect when claiming a win.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.