Have you ever won? Five keys to enjoying your prize worry-free

23/12/2025

Winning the lotto is thrilling, but it also requires being responsible. Remaining calm, being informed and planning are the keys for the prize to become a long-lasting source of well-being. Here at the Bank Customer Portal, we want to remind you of some essential elements for safely and responsibly managing your prize. If you have won one of the jackpots, remember that you may refrain from making your identity known or shouting your luck from the rooftops so as to steer clear of fraudsters and opportunists. Discretion is a good ally.

Here are five key points for playing the lottery fearlessly:

1) If you share a “décimo” (tenth of a ticket), leave proof

• A décimo is a bearer cheque: whoever presents it can claim the prize. If you share it with others, you each need to leave prior proof (a photo or photocopy of the décimo, with names, national IDs and percentages, as well as the date and your signatures; clear messages or email messages can also be useful). This will allow the bank to pay out the prize directly and avoid disguised gifts.
• The tax authorities require identifying all prize winners subject to withholding tax and distributing among them the minimum exempt amount, €40,000, proportionately.

2) How and when winnings are paid out (prizes either equal to or below €2,000 and prizes above that amount)

• Prizes < €2,000: paid out at the official sales points of Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (Spain's national lottery organisation), normally in cash or by Bizum.
• Prizes ≥ €2,000: only at financial institutions authorised by Loterías y Apuestas, i.e. at BBVA and CaixaBank. You don’t have to be a customer of one of these banks, though, naturally, you will have to identify yourself.

3) Term and expiration: three months go by very quickly

• The right to receive the payout expires three months and one day following the drawing. Thereafter, the prize reverts to the Treasury.

4) Taxes: €40,000 is exempt per décimo; above this amount, a 20% tax is charged

• Prizes of €40,000 or less are exempt. For prizes above this amount, a 20% tax is charged only on the excess, and withheld at the time of payout; therefore, you have no need to worry about filing any other paperwork.
• If a décimo is shared, the €40,000 that is exempt is divided according to each participant’s percentage. For this reason, each co-winner’s ID is required.

5) Once the prize is in your account: safety and decisions

• If you decide to keep the money in a Spanish credit institution, remember that the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) covers up to €100,000 per holder and institution.

So that you don’t get mixed up, here is an express checklist with the most important points for you to keep in mind:

1. Shared ticket: leave proof (photo with names/IDs/percentages).
2. Checkthe prize in official channels and don’t share personal details.
3. < €2,000 : You can claim your winnings at the point of sale (cash/Bizum). ≥ €2,000: authorised banks (BBVA/CaixaBank).
4. Expiration: Three months and one day.
5. Taxes: €40,000 exempt; 20% tax charged on the excess (withheld when payout is made).
6. Accounts and Deposits: DGS up to €100,000 per account holder/institution.