Child Maintenance Calculator Germany
Child support in Germany under the 2026 Düsseldorfer Tabelle: net income and the child's age give the bracket, table amount and payment after child benefit.
Details
Adjusted net income of the parent liable for maintenance
Payment amount per month
€512.50
€6,150.00 per year
Income group
Group 4
based on your net income
You keep
€2,487.50
needs-control amount: €1,950.00
Calculation
Child 1, age 8 (6-11 yrs)
The table is designed for two persons entitled to maintenance (note A I). With only one, a higher group may be appropriate – a matter of discretion, so the calculator does not upgrade automatically. A spouse entitled to maintenance counts too.
Calculated with the Düsseldorf Table 2026 (as of 1 January 2026). Minor children: table amount minus half the child benefit – the standard case where the child lives with the other parent (§ 1612b (1) no. 1 BGB). Not included: maintenance for a spouse or other dependants (also in the needs-control check), shared-care arrangements, additional and special needs, and a higher personal allowance if your rent including heating exceeds the amount built into it (note A VII).
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much child maintenance must be paid?
The amount depends on the payer's net income and the child's age according to the Duesseldorf Table. In the lowest income group it is 486, 558 or 653 euros a month in 2026 depending on age – the statutory minimum maintenance for minor children (§ 1612a BGB); for adult children living with a parent it is 698 euros.
Is child benefit offset against maintenance?
Yes. For minor children, half of the child benefit is offset if the other parent provides the care (§ 1612b (1) no. 1 BGB): payment = table amount minus 129.50 euros (2026). For adult children, the full child benefit of 259 euros is deducted (§ 1612b (1) no. 2 BGB).
Which net income should I enter in the calculator?
What counts is the adjusted net income of the parent liable for maintenance: net pay minus, among other things, work-related expenses (proven individually or – depending on the guidelines of the Higher Regional Court – a flat 5 %, at most 150 euros a month) and debts that may be taken into account. This can change the income group: with a net income of 3,000 euros and an 8-year-old child, the calculator shows group 4 with a table amount of 642 euros and a payment of 512.50 euros; after deducting the 150-euro flat rate (2,850 euros) it is group 3 with 614 and 484.50 euros.
What happens if the income is not enough for all children?
First the needs-control amount applies (note A III of the Düsseldorf Table): if less than the amount for the payer's group remains after all payments, the next lower group whose control amount is met is used – with a net income of 2,800 euros and two children (aged 4 and 13), group 2 instead of group 3, 938 instead of 995 euros in total. If even group 1 is not affordable, it is a shortfall case (note C): the payer keeps the minimum personal allowance of 1,450 euros (employed) or 1,200 euros, and the rest is shared in proportion to the payment amounts. With 1,900 euros net and two children (aged 3 and 7) that is 204.36 and 245.64 euros. The calculator carries out both steps automatically.
Guide
What is the Child Maintenance Calculator Germany?
The child maintenance calculator computes the monthly maintenance for children of separated parents according to the Duesseldorf Table.
How does the Child Maintenance Calculator Germany work?
Enter the adjusted net income of the paying parent, whether they are employed, the number of children (1 to 4) and each child's age; for adult children also their living situation. The calculator assigns the income group of the Düsseldorf Table 2026, determines the table amount for each child and deducts half the child benefit (129.50 euros) for minor children or the full child benefit (259 euros) for adult children. It then checks the needs-control amount and automatically moves down to a lower group where necessary (note A III). If even in group 1 less than the minimum personal allowance would remain, it calculates the shortfall case under note C: the amount available is shared among the children in proportion to their payment amounts. Non-privileged adult children rank lower and only receive what remains above the reasonable personal allowance of 1,750 euros.
Key Data and Facts
Statutory minimum maintenance 2026 (§ 1612a BGB, income group 1) exists only for minor children: 0-5 yrs: 486 euros, 6-11: 558 euros, 12-17: 653 euros. For adult children living with a parent, the need in group 1 (4th age bracket) is 698 euros. Child benefit is offset under § 1612b (1) BGB: half (129.50 euros) for minors, in full (259 euros) for adult children. Minimum personal allowance towards minor (and privileged adult) children: 1,450 euros if employed, 1,200 euros if not; reasonable personal allowance towards other adult children: 1,750 euros (note A VII). Needs-control amount: from 1,750 euros (group 2) to 5,050 euros (group 15).
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate child maintenance step by step: 1. Calculate the adjusted net income of the person liable to pay maintenance: gross salary minus taxes and social contributions, minus work-related expenses (proven individually or – depending on the guidelines of the Higher Regional Court – a flat 5 %, at most 150 EUR a month) and debts that may be taken into account. 2. Assign the income group in the Düsseldorf Table 2026: the table has 15 income groups – from group 1 (up to 2,100 EUR, minimum maintenance) through group 2 (2,101-2,500 EUR) and group 3 (2,501-2,900 EUR) to group 15 (9,701-11,200 EUR). It is designed for two persons entitled to maintenance (note A I): with two children there is therefore no downgrade; with more persons entitled a lower group, with only one a higher group may be appropriate. 3. Determine the child's age bracket and read off the table amount. 4. Calculate the payment amount: for minor children, table amount minus half the child benefit (129.50 EUR); for adult children, minus the full child benefit (259 EUR). 5. Check the needs-control amount (Bedarfskontrollbetrag, note A III): if, after all payment amounts, the payer keeps less than the control amount of their group, the table amount of the next lower group whose control amount is not undercut can be applied. 6. Check the personal allowance: towards minor children the payer must keep at least 1,450 EUR (employed) or 1,200 EUR (not employed); otherwise it is a shortfall case: the amount available for distribution (net income minus personal allowance) is shared among the children in proportion to their input amounts – the payment amounts after child benefit (note C). The calculator performs steps 3 to 6 for up to four children, including the downgrade and the shortfall calculation. Example: mother, adjusted net 2,800 EUR, 2 children (aged 4 and 13). Group 3 (2,501-2,900 EUR): child 1 (4 years, 1st age bracket) 535 EUR, child 2 (13 years, 3rd age bracket) 719 EUR. Payment amounts: 535 - 129.50 = 405.50 EUR and 719 - 129.50 = 589.50 EUR, together 995 EUR. That would leave 2,800 - 995 = 1,805 EUR – less than the control amount of group 3 (1,850 EUR). Group 2 can therefore be applied (control amount 1,750 EUR): 511 - 129.50 = 381.50 EUR and 686 - 129.50 = 556.50 EUR, together 938 EUR/month. Remaining: 2,800 - 938 = 1,862 EUR (above 1,750 EUR and above the personal allowance of 1,450 EUR).
Calculation Example
Mother, adjusted net 2,800 EUR, 2 children (aged 4 and 13). Group 3: 535 - 129.50 = 405.50 EUR and 719 - 129.50 = 589.50 EUR, together 995 EUR. That would leave 1,805 EUR – less than the control amount of group 3 (1,850 EUR), so group 2 applies: 511 - 129.50 = 381.50 EUR and 686 - 129.50 = 556.50 EUR. Total: 938 EUR/month, 1,862 EUR remain. Shortfall case: father, employed, adjusted net 1,900 EUR, 2 children (aged 3 and 7). Group 1: 486 - 129.50 = 356.50 EUR and 558 - 129.50 = 428.50 EUR, together 785 EUR. Only 1,115 EUR would remain – less than the personal allowance of 1,450 EUR. Amount available: 1,900 - 1,450 = 450 EUR. Child 1: 356.50 x 450 : 785 = 204.36 EUR, child 2: 428.50 x 450 : 785 = 245.64 EUR.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
- Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG)
- Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
Law
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