The Sorteo Extraordinario de Lotería Nacional against cancer (AECC), held on April 11, 2026, became a notable event for many residents of Spain. This time, attention was drawn not only to the prize amounts, but also to the way the winnings were distributed and new details on taxation. For Spaniards, it’s not just a chance to win a significant sum, but also an opportunity to support an important social initiative, as part of the proceeds go toward the fight against cancer.
The grand prize of €1,500,000 per series went to number 46,439. The second-largest prize—€300,000 per series—was awarded to number 46,504, and the third prize—€150,000 per series—went to number 78,721. In addition, there were extra prizes for tickets whose last five, four, three, or two digits matched, as well as the traditional refunds (reintegros) for numbers ending in 1, 5, or 9.
Geography of the winnings
This time, the major prizes were spread across different regions of the country. The first prize was sold at two locations: Avenida de Cantabria, 13 in Los Corrales de Buelna (Cantabria) and Plaza de España, 7 in San Javier (Murcia). The second prize landed in Pontevedra (Avenida de la Reina Victoria, 3), Burgos (Negro Día, 8, Trespaderne), and Toledo (Calvo Sotelo, 1, Cebolla). This distribution shows that luck is not limited to one region but spreads throughout Spain.
Among the additional five-digit prizes, the following numbers stood out: 27,366; 32,051; 33,518; 36,443; 43,193; 45,377; 46,309; 52,613; 64,677; 73,538; 76,804; and 85,899—each bringing €7,500 per ticket. Prizes for four matching digits (2,125; 3,924; 4,263; 9,039) amounted to €375 each, while three-digit matches (018; 071; 124; 179; 219; 333; 408; 525; 551; 775; 859) earned €750 per series. Two-digit matches (37; 53; 60; 69; 91) awarded €300 per series.
Payouts and taxes
You can claim your winnings as early as the day after the draw, but no later than three months from the date of the drawing. Prizes up to €2,000 can be collected at any official point of sale, while larger amounts require a visit to a partner bank with your ID and the ticket. It’s important to note that the tax authorities withhold 20% on amounts exceeding €40,000 per ticket. If your winnings do not exceed this threshold, the entire amount is paid out with no deductions.
Banks automatically withhold taxes when paying out winnings, so it is not necessary to declare these amounts again in your tax return, except in cases required by law. For example, if you win €100,000, only €60,000 is subject to tax, and you receive €88,000 after deductions. This rule applies to all official lotteries, including Lotería Nacional, Euromillones, Primitiva, and ONCE.
Ticket verification and important details
You can check your winnings on the official Loterías y Apuestas del Estado website or via the mobile app. For those who purchased multiple tickets, a bulk verification feature is available, reducing the risk of errors. It’s crucial to keep your ticket safe: without the original document or official digital confirmation, you cannot claim your winnings. If the ticket is lost, you will not be able to restore the right to a payout.
Draw results are published only on official platforms and major media outlets. The reintegro (refund) allows you to get your ticket price back if the last digit of your ticket number matches the last digit of the first prize. This is not an additional win, but an opportunity to play again at no cost.
Context and trends
In recent years, interest in national lotteries in Spain has remained consistently high. According to russpain.com, around 70% of funds collected are distributed to winners, making these draws attractive to a wide audience. In 2026, attention to lotteries increased amid changes in tax legislation and a rise in participants. Recently, a major Cuponazo de la ONCE draw took place, where a new prize distribution system led to an increase in the number of winners— details about this event can be found here.
Among recent trends is the growth in digital ticket sales and improved transparency in the draws. All lottery draws are held in official halls using certified equipment, and broadcasts are available live. This allows participants to be confident in the integrity of the process and be promptly informed of the results. In the coming months, several major draws are expected, which could change the usual pattern of prize distribution in the country.
