EuroMillions vs EuroJackpot: Which Should You Play?
Europe's two biggest lotteries compared — jackpot odds, prize tiers, ticket price, draw frequency, and which game gives you a better shot at winning something.
- September 4, 2026
- 9 min read
- #EuroMillions
- #EuroJackpot
- #Lottery Odds
EuroJackpot is easier to win — 1 in 95M vs EuroMillions at 1 in 139M. EuroMillions offers the larger jackpot(€250M cap vs EuroJackpot's €120M rolldown ceiling). Both draw on Tuesdays and Fridays. Choose EuroJackpot for best odds; choose EuroMillions when chasing the biggest possible prize.
Europe's two biggest multi-national lottery games share the same draw schedule and a nearly identical format — 5 main numbers plus 2 bonus numbers from the same 1–12 pool. Yet they differ meaningfully on jackpot odds, prize caps, ticket price, and geographic reach. Here is the complete comparison.
EuroMillions vs EuroJackpot: Full Comparison
Green checkmark indicates the better value on that row.
| Feature | 🇪🇺 EuroMillions | 🇪🇺 EuroJackpot |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 139,838,160 | ✓1 in 95,344,200 |
| Main numbers | 5 from 1–50 | 5 from 1–50 |
| Bonus numbers | 2 Lucky Stars (1–12) | 2 Euro Numbers (1–12) |
| Min jackpot | ✓€17 million | €10 million |
| Max jackpot | ✓€250 million (capped) | No cap (rolls down at €120M) |
| Draw days | Tuesday & Friday | Tuesday & Friday |
| Ticket price | ~€2.50 | ✓~€2 |
| Countries | 15 European | ✓18 European |
The Odds: EuroJackpot Is Easier to Win
EuroJackpot's jackpot odds are 1 in 95,344,200 — meaningfully better than EuroMillions at 1 in 139,838,160. That's a difference of nearly 47%. Despite the similar format (5 main + 2 bonus numbers from the same pool sizes), EuroJackpot produces fewer total combinations because of how the bonus number draws interact with the main pool.
The Jackpot Cap: How Each Game Handles Big Prizes
The two games handle prize accumulation very differently — and this distinction matters for players chasing life-changing prizes.
EuroMillions jackpots are capped at €250 million. When the prize reaches this ceiling, it stays at €250M until it is won. If 5 consecutive draws at the cap go without a jackpot winner, the prize rolls down to the next prize tier. The cap guarantees the largest possible headline prize but means the jackpot can accumulate there for several draws.
EuroJackpot rolls down at €120 million. Once the jackpot hits €120M, it must be won in that draw — if no one matches all numbers, the prize money cascades to lower prize tiers. This means EuroJackpot jackpots are guaranteed to pay out once they reach the ceiling, unlike EuroMillions which can stay capped for multiple consecutive draws.
Tax Treatment Across Europe
One of the best features of European lotteries is that most participating countries do not tax lottery prizes. Winnings are typically paid as a lump sum, tax-free at source.
| Country | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|
| Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, UK | Tax-free at source |
| Spain | Tax withheld on prizes above €40,000 |
| Portugal | Tax applies to larger prizes |
| Finland, Sweden, Norway | Tax-free at source |
| Poland, Czech Republic | Varies — check locally |
Tax rules can change. Always verify with your country's tax authority before claiming large prizes.
Which Game Should You Play?
The right answer depends on what you are optimising for.
1 in 95M vs 1 in 139M — EuroJackpot gives you a ~47% better chance of hitting the jackpot.
EuroMillions' €250M cap is more than double EuroJackpot's €120M rolldown ceiling.
EuroJackpot's rolldown rule forces the jackpot to be won once it hits €120M — no perpetual accumulation.
Practical tip: Since both games draw on Tuesdays and Fridays, many European lottery players buy one ticket in each game. The combined spend is ~€4.50 per draw for coverage across both pools and prize structures.
Where to Buy Tickets
Both EuroMillions and EuroJackpot tickets are sold through national lottery retailers in each participating country. Many national lotteries also offer official online play through their websites and apps. Availability and purchase methods vary by country — always use your national lottery's official channel.
Explore More Lottery Stats on Lottorios
Lottorios tracks draw results, hot and cold numbers, and frequency statistics for EuroJackpot and many other international lotteries — updated after every official draw.