Spiel 77 — how prizes are taxed

Germany: the rules

Lottery winnings from licensed German lotteries are tax-free — prizes are not treated as taxable income, so winners receive the full amount. Interest and investment returns earned on the winnings afterwards are subject to normal German taxes.

Can you stay anonymous?

State lottery companies do not publish a winner's identity without consent.

How long you have to claim

Generous by international standards — typically until the end of the third year after the draw for state lottery prizes.

Regulator: Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) — official site

Full country guide: every Germany game, ranked, with tax rules. For a cross-border view, see lottery tax in every country and the after-tax prize calculator.