Eurojackpot Records — The 10 Biggest Jackpots of All Time

120 Million Euros — The Upper Limit

The Eurojackpot has a fixed jackpot cap of 120 million euros. If this amount is reached and not won in the next draw, the jackpot remains at 120 million — any surplus funds flow into the next lower prize tier. If the jackpot still is not won, a so-called guaranteed payout (Zwangsausschuettung) takes effect.

This cap was raised in March 2022 from the previous 90 million euros to the current 120 million — simultaneously with the introduction of the Tuesday draw and the expansion of Euro numbers from 10 to 12.

The 10 Biggest Eurojackpot Jackpots of All Time

Here are the highest jackpots in Eurojackpot history — sorted by prize amount. In some cases, the jackpot was split among multiple winners.

Notable: Germany is by far the most successful Eurojackpot country. This is less about luck and more about player numbers — Germany represents the largest participant market with over 80 million inhabitants.

When Was the 120 Million Mark First Reached?

The first 120-million payout in Eurojackpot history took place on 22 July 2022. A single player from Berlin correctly picked the winning numbers 3 – 6 – 17 – 34 – 41 and Euro numbers 3 + 4, becoming the Eurojackpot record winner overnight.

The jackpot had grown to the maximum over several weeks. Since the cap was raised in March 2022, the 120 million mark has been reached multiple times — a sign that the new rules (larger Euro number pool, tougher jackpot odds) are serving their purpose: bigger, more newsworthy jackpots.

Timeline of 120-Million Wins

How Does the Guaranteed Payout Work?

The guaranteed payout (also called "Must Be Won") is a central mechanism of the Eurojackpot. It ensures that extremely high jackpots do not grow indefinitely.

The Rules in Detail

1. Jackpot reaches 120M €: The jackpot cannot grow further. Surplus revenue flows into lower prize tiers.

2. Jackpot remains at 120M € for 2 more draws: If it is not won in these draws, the guaranteed payout is triggered.

3. Guaranteed payout: The jackpot is guaranteed to be paid out — even if nobody matches 5+2. In this case, the jackpot "cascades" down to the next lower prize tier with winners. This could be tier 2 (5+1), tier 3 (5+0) or even lower tiers.

What Does This Mean for Players?

• During a guaranteed payout, the prizes in lower tiers are extraordinarily high.
• A player who "only" matches 5 numbers plus 1 Euro number could suddenly win 30, 40 or even 120 million euros.
• Guaranteed payouts regularly generate media attention and higher participation.

In practice, actual guaranteed payouts have been rare because high jackpots increase player numbers so dramatically that the probability of the jackpot being won rises. It is a self-regulating system.

Jackpot Development Since 2012

The Eurojackpot launched on 23 March 2012 with a minimum jackpot of 10 million euros. In the early years, the maximum jackpot was 90 million euros. The key milestones:

The Early Years (2012–2016)

• First jackpot win: On 11 May 2012, just weeks after launch, the jackpot was won for the first time — 20.9M € went to Germany.
• First 30M jackpot: Reached by late 2012.
• First 50M jackpot: June 2013 — split between two winners from Denmark and Croatia.
• First 76M jackpot: October 2014 — the highest win at the time.

The Consolidation Period (2017–2021)

• 90M € reached multiple times: The old maximum jackpot was hit five times between 2017 and 2021.
• 2017 — Triple split: On 10 February 2017, three winners (two from Finland, one from Germany) shared the 90M jackpot.
• Growing popularity: Participation numbers rose steadily, particularly through online sales.

The New Era (2022 Onwards)

• March 2022: Rule change — Tuesday draw, Euro number pool of 12, maximum jackpot 120M €.
• July 2022: First 120M win (Berlin).
• 2023/2024: Regular 120M jackpots — the new system produces bigger, more newsworthy wins as expected.
• Trend: The average jackpot amount at time of win has risen significantly since the rule change.

Jackpot Development in Numbers

Germany — The Most Successful Eurojackpot Country

Of the 10 biggest jackpots, 7 went to Germany. This comes down to one simple factor: Germany has the most players. With over 80 million inhabitants and a deeply rooted lottery tradition, Germany accounts for the largest share of tickets sold.

Record Wins by Federal State

Detailed information about prize tiers and current payouts can be found on our prize tiers page and the payouts overview.

Eurojackpot vs. EuroMillions — Who Has the Bigger Jackpots?

The eternal comparison with rival EuroMillions is inevitable. Here is the head-to-head:

Eurojackpot offers the better jackpot odds (roughly 1.5 times more likely than EuroMillions), but the maximum cap is 130 million euros below the EuroMillions maximum. Which lottery is "better" depends on personal preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest Eurojackpot win ever?

The highest Eurojackpot win is 120 million euros — which is also the jackpot cap. This amount was first won on 22 July 2022 by a player from Berlin and has been reached multiple times since.

What happens when the jackpot is not won?

When the jackpot is not won, it rolls over to the next draw — up to the cap of 120 million euros. After that, it remains at this level for a maximum of 2 more draws. If still not won, the guaranteed payout kicks in: the jackpot is guaranteed to be distributed in a lower prize tier.

Do you have to pay tax on a 120 million euro jackpot?

In Germany, lottery winnings are fundamentally tax-free — regardless of the amount. This applies to 120 million euros as well. However, interest earned on the prize amount is subject to capital gains tax. Different rules may apply in other Eurojackpot participating countries. A detailed guide can be found in our article Eurojackpot and Taxes.

Further Reading

• Prize Tiers in Detail — All 12 tiers explained
• Current Eurojackpot Payouts — Prize amounts from recent draws
• Eurojackpot and Taxes — What remains after winning
• Winning Odds Guide — The mathematics behind the odds

Responsible Gaming

Record jackpots and multi-million wins are fascinating — but they are the absolute exception. The jackpot odds are 1:95,344,200. Playing the lottery is entertainment, not an investment strategy.

Only play with amounts you can comfortably afford to lose and do not let high jackpots tempt you into excessive play. If you feel your gambling behaviour is getting out of control, please contact the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA):

• Phone: 0800 1 37 27 00 (free of charge)
• Website: www.bzga.de