Last month, history was made as the Postcode Lottery awarded its biggest prizes ever. With over 1,500 players from the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany and Norway winning a staggering total of €104.3 million.

Photo: winners of grant prize Kjempegevinsten in Norway

From purchasing their ideal residence to exploring the globe, these five stories about Postcode Lottery winner will undoubtedly inspire you.

Norway: A €460,000 lottery win for Bahta, a former refugee in Norway

In Norway, 60 lucky neighbours are currently sharing 10 million kroner (almost €1 million). Just one person ticks all the right boxes and wins half of the prize: technician Bahta (40), who is playing with three tickets.

This January, the Norsk Postkodelotteri has the biggest draw in history: Kjempegevinsten (Grant Prize).  Since 2016, Bahta and his wife Amleset have lived in the winning city of Rognan, in the north of Norway. Bahta came from Eritrea as a refugee. He works at a local company that manufactures prefabricated houses and cabins.

Before he knows how much he will win, ambassador Jorun Stiansen asks him what he dreams of spending the prize money on. “We have three children,” he says, “and I want to take them on a trip so that they can see and experience what the world outside of Norway looks like.”

After pulling the cheque out of the golden envelope, the couple realises that they have won enough for a family holiday … and a lot more. At first, they laugh, smile, cry and hug. Eventually, they realise their prize could change their lives. There is a magic moment when they look at each other, and Amleset suddenly explains: “Do you know … now we can actually buy a house!”

They explain that their financial situation has been quite tough lately. The company where Bahta works has been cutting costs, and some of Batha’s colleagues have been laid off, so they had explained to their children that there would probably not be any summer holiday this year. Now, they are looking forward to surprising their children with the great news.

The Netherlands: Multi-million euro prize goes to over 350 winners

€58.9 million goes to the city of Heemskerk, in the west of the Netherlands.

A total of €29.4 million, half of the PostcodeKanjer of €58.9 million, goes to 348 players who live in the same neighbourhood as the 11 grand prize street winners and win a maximum of €67,946 euro per ticket.

Great Britain: Nicki’s €431,000 lottery win brings hope after husband's job loss

Nicki (53) from Goring-by-Sea the south of England, whose partner has recently been made redundant, wins £379,062 (€431,000). She is in disbelief when ambassador Jason Donovan knocks on her door to present her with a six-figure sum.

Together, hundreds of neighbours in Goring-by-Sea in the south of England, win £16.9 million, the biggest prize awarded in People’s Postcode Lottery’s 17-years history. With 718 people picking up a cheque, it means around one in ten residents wins.
 
Nicki is one of the biggest prize winners: “I just can’t put into words what this means. It means the world. I’ve had such a rubbish year. My partner Joe lost his job so things have been tough. I can help so many people now. I can go on my dream holiday to South Africa. I cannot wait. I’m so happy I need a wee!”

Mum-of-two Stacey Rivers (R) won £14,816 pictured with her friend Lucy

Other winners in the postcode area include 50-year-old single mum Stacey whose son has Leukaemia. Stacey wins £14,816 and plans to use the money to go on the trip of a lifetime.

Stacey: “I’ve got 7-year-old twin sons, Phoenix and Elliot. Phoenix has Leukaemia. He’s got a year and a half of treatment and then I’ve promised them both we’ll go on a huge trip of a lifetime. This is going to help a lot. I think it might end up being an American road trip, visiting NASA and then ending up in Disney World in Florida.”

Sweden: After a tough period, 67-year-old Britt-Mari becomes a millionaire

The biggest prize in Sweden goes to Britt-Mari (67), who receives over SEK 25 million (2.2 million euros).

A record-breaking SEK 265 million (€23.7 million) is won at this year’s first draw of the Grannya, the biggest prize of the Postkodlotteriet in Sweden. A total of 59 out of 106 winners become millionaires.

Britt-Mari (67) receives a winning cheque of €2.2 million. She is accompanied by her son Martin and daughter Johanna on stage. They become emotional after seeing the prize.

Britt-Mari has struggled all her life, explains her son. Since her husband passed away, she has had a very hard time. When TV presenter and ambassador Rickard Sjöberg asks what they will do with the money, they mention quality time with the family. “I will spend the money on the children, make sure they are well. Then I'll buy a new car,” says Britt-Mari.

Germany: Neighbourhood couples win big

Olching, west of Munich, is the winner of the Deutsche Postcode Lottery’s monthly prize in January 2023. 425 winners are sharing a total of €1.4 million, but two couples are particularly thrilled.

Mara and her husband Günter are stunned as they receive cheques for €175,000 each from lottery ambassador Giuliano Lenz. "I've won €10 before, but never this much”, says Günter (63).

Fred and his wife Maria, who live just a few meters away from Mara and Günter on the same street, also receive a cheque for €175,000. Maria: "It was the best decision to buy a ticket."

Overwhelmed by the lottery team's visit, Fred adds. "The best decision of my life was to marry you," he tells his wife.

Both couples want to invest in their houses. Mara plans to donate some of the winnings to charities close to her heart: "You do something for a good cause and you can also win something along the way.”