Ireland: tax on lottery prizes
Lottery prizes are not taxed in Ireland: a €1,000,000 Lotto prize is paid in full, and it does not go on a tax return. Only what the money earns afterwards is taxed.
How the tax works
National Lottery prizes are tax-free in Ireland, and lottery winnings are exempt from capital acquisitions tax. Money given away from a win is a gift, so the person who receives it may owe capital acquisitions tax above their tax-free threshold. Interest and other income from the money is taxed as usual.
Games covered: Lotto, EuroMillions, Daily Million and the other National Lottery games.
Questions
Do you pay tax on lottery winnings in Ireland?
No. The prize is paid in full and is not declared as income. Interest, dividends and other income the money earns once invested are taxed under the normal rules.
Is anything taxed after a big win?
What the money earns, and in some cases gifts made from it. Talk to a tax adviser before investing or giving away a large prize.
Rules checked on 29.09.2026; compare other countries or see the United States calculator. Estimates, not tax advice.
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