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The 2025 Christmas Lottery: Who's barred from playing and how not to lose it all if you win
With the season fast approaching, here’s a reminder of who can’t join in the fun - and some handy advice for those dreaming of striking it lucky
It might still be early November, but Christmas is already starting to peek around the corner. Soon the streets will sparkle with lights, shop windows will shine in gold and red, and shelves will fill with nougat and shortbread. And across Spain, millions will be hoping for a share of the Christmas magic when the famous lottery draw takes place on Monday December 22.For many, buying a ticket for the Christmas Lottery is as much a tradition as decorating the tree or sharing a festive meal. But not everyone is allowed to take part. Spanish law is quite clear about who can, and who definitely cannot, play.
Who cannot buy Christmas Lottery tickets
Under Law 13/2011 on the regulation of gambling, the following groups are legally prohibited from buying tickets or taking part in any game of chance:
- Minors under 18 years old
- Anyone banned from gambling by court order
- People who have voluntarily asked to be excluded from gambling activity
- Directors, shareholders, or managers of Loterías y Apuestas del Estado - the state body that organises the draw
- Workers directly involved in running the lottery, along with their spouses or partners
- The president, board members and directors of the National Gambling Commission, plus their spouses or partners
So, while friends and colleagues across the country start sharing décimos (one-tenth shares of a full lottery ticket, usually costing €20 each) and dreaming of “El Gordo”, the famous jackpot, there are a few who simply have to watch from the sidelines.
You might also be interested in: Spanish Christmas Lottery: What is El Gordo and why is it such a big deal?
What to do if you beat the odds
Of course, for those lucky enough to hold a winning ticket, that’s when things really get interesting. But before rushing out to celebrate, financial adviser Sergi Torrens has some sensible words of caution. “70% of people who win a lottery prize are broke five years later,” he says.
His first piece of advice? Keep it quiet. “Maximum discretion, don’t shout it from the rooftops,” he recommends. Then, take some time before making any big decisions. Remember too, that the taxman will be waiting. “You will pay 20 percent, except for the first 40,000 euros,” says Torrens. “So, if you win 400,000 euros, 40,000 will be exempt and you will pay tax on 360,000. Twenty percent of that is 72,000, leaving you with 328,000 euros.”
He also warns against paying off loans and mortgages straight away and urges new winners to get independent financial advice before doing anything with their prize money.
So, whether you’re planning to buy a ticket or just watching the excitement unfold, keep the rules, and Torrens’ sensible tips, in mind. After all, winning the Christmas Lottery might be down to luck, but keeping hold of it takes a little more planning.
You might also be interested in: The Spanish Christmas lottery ads
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Financial Advice Issues for Expats in Spain
I have been a Qualified Financial Adviser for almost 35 years now. 25 years in the UK for major institutions such as Natwest, RBS and Royal London. I have been in Spain giving expats financial advice now for 10 years and it is quite remarkable the different approaches as well as advice that are required for an expat now living in Spain. Blacktower is a company that has specialised in providing the best solutions for its clients living outside the UK for 30 years also.
The currency issue is always high on the agenda and a discussion for the long-term future has to be taken onto account. Questions like What will happen if one partner dies? Will the other remain in Spain? What about other family members? What Inheritance tax provisions do you have in place? The list goes on and on.
Existing portfolios and investments that were the mainstay of portfolios in the UK may now be obsolete. An example of this is quite often tax efficient products in the UK like ISA’s and previously held TESSA’s: PEP’s actually have low growth rates and provide no tax advantage to a Spanish fiscal resident.
Existing pension holdings either paid by the state or private pensions built up through working lifetimes are topics that have to be covered. Many expats have lots of small pensions from many ex employers and can be confused by the communications and administration in dealing with them. At Blacktower we specialise in advising on how to consolidate and bring all these pensions together in one place.
Bank accounts and investments in Spain always bring up lots of questions too. Quite often the small print associated with financial products in Spain is in Spanish this can make it very difficult even if you have a good grasp of the language. Understanding Jargon in English is sometime difficult enough. I provide clear easy to understand letters and documents in English so that you fully understand any terms and conditions before making a decision.
Advice on tax efficiency is just as important and offering good returns. There are products available exclusively for Spanish expats that can provide invaluable benefits. Having a good base knowledge of the tax implications both now and in the future is an essential ingredient to making a sound decision.
Click for more information about Keith Littlewood.
The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.
This communication is for information purposes only and it does not constitute advice or a recommendation. The value of investments can go up as well as down, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. The Blacktower group of companies operates across multiple jurisdictions, each authorized under its respective regulatory license. For further information, please refer to the relevant regulatory page.
