What to Do If You Win the Spanish Christmas El Gordo: Steps, Deadlines and How Much You Get
Quick answer: If you win the Christmas El Gordo: 1) check the number on the official list, 2) sign the back of the tenth, photograph it and keep it safe, 3) claim it at a Loterías y Apuestas del Estado partner bank with your ID within 3 months, and 4) get advice. Each tenth pays €400,000 gross and €328,000 net.
By the Serviloto team, Lottery Office no. 40 in Málaga (Spain).
First: check and protect your tenth
Compare the number, series and fraction with the official prize list. If it has won, sign the back, photograph both sides and keep it somewhere safe. Until it is claimed, the tenth is a bearer document: whoever holds it can claim it.
Where to claim El Gordo
Prizes over €2,000 are claimed at Loterías y Apuestas del Estado partner banks. You need the original tenth, your ID and a bank account number. The bank withholds the tax and pays you the net amount. If you bought online from an official lottery office, they will tell you the procedure.
How much you receive
El Gordo is €4 million per series, i.e. €400,000 per tenth. The first €40,000 is tax-free and the rest is taxed at 20%: you pay €72,000 and receive €328,000 per tenth.
| Tenths with El Gordo | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €400,000 | €72,000 | €328,000 |
| 2 | €800,000 | €144,000 | €656,000 |
| 5 | €2,000,000 | €360,000 | €1,640,000 |
| 10 (full ticket) | €4,000,000 | €720,000 | €3,280,000 |
If the tenth is shared
If the tenth is shared, all co-owners should go to the bank or be identified with name, ID and percentage. That way each is taxed only on their share and later payments between them are not treated as gifts.
After claiming
Avoid rushed decisions, be discreet and speak to a tax and financial adviser before investing or making big purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you claim the Christmas El Gordo?
At Loterías y Apuestas del Estado partner banks, presenting the original tenth and your ID.
How much is a winning El Gordo tenth worth after tax?
€328,000: €72,000 tax is deducted from the €400,000.
When can you claim the Christmas El Gordo?
From the day after the draw, for 3 months.
Should you sign a winning tenth?
It is advisable to sign the back and take photos, because the tenth is a bearer document until claimed.
Is the El Gordo winner made public?
Loterías y Apuestas del Estado does not publish winners’ names. Anonymity mostly depends on your discretion.
Play responsibly
The lottery is a game of chance. Always play within your budget and only if you are 18 or over. Information and support are available at jugarbien.es.
