Current for 2026•As of: July 2026

Child Maintenance Calculator 2026 Düsseldorf Table 2026.

Calculate child maintenance with the Düsseldorf Table 2026: minimum maintenance, child benefit offset and minimum retained amount at a glance

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Person liable to pay

€
0 €15,000 €

Affects the minimum retained amount

0 5

Children (1)

Child 1

years
0 years25 years

About the Düsseldorf Table

By default, the table applies to 2 dependants. With more children there is a downgrade, with fewer an upgrade. The child benefit (€259/2026) is offset by half for minors.

Total monthly maintenance

585.50 €

Income group 6 · 128%

ChildTable amountChild benefitPayment

Child 1

8 yrs · 6-11 years

715.00 €
129.50 €

(½)

585.50 €

Income calculation

Adjusted income3,500.00 €
- Minimum retained amount1,450.00 €
= Available for maintenance2,050.00 €

Income group 6

Adjusted net income: 3,701.00 € – 4,100.00 €

Percentage of the minimum maintenance: 128%

Legal note:

The Düsseldorf Table is a guideline, not a law. The actual maintenance amounts may differ in individual cases. For binding calculations, please consult a specialist family lawyer or the responsible youth welfare office.

Important note

These calculations are for non-binding information only and do not replace professional tax advice. All information without guarantee. Learn more

Sources & calculation basis

Our calculations are based on the following official sources (as of: July 2026):

Related guides

Separation & Divorce

Understanding child maintenance: the Düsseldorf Table

The Düsseldorf Table is the nationwide guideline for child maintenance. It is updated annually by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court and takes into account the income of the person liable to pay and the age of the child.

Important: the table assumes two dependants. With more children there is a downgrade, with fewer an upgrade in the income group.

The 15 income groups 2026

Group 1 (minimum maintenance)
Up to €2,100 net: €486 (0-5 yrs), €558 (6-11 yrs), €653 (12-17 yrs), €698 (18+)
Group 5
€3,301-3,700 net: €584 (0-5 yrs), €670 (6-11 yrs), €784 (12-17 yrs), €838 (18+)
Group 10
€5,301-5,700 net: €778 (0-5 yrs), €893 (6-11 yrs), €1,045 (12-17 yrs), €1,117 (18+)
Group 15
€9,701-11,200 net: €972 (0-5 yrs), €1,116 (6-11 yrs), €1,306 (12-17 yrs), €1,396 (18+)

Example: €3,500 net, 1 child (8 years)

Income group 6, age bracket 6-11 years

Income group 6, age bracket 6-11 years
PositionBetrag
Adjusted net income€3,500
Income group (base)5
Upgrade (only 1 instead of 2 children)→ Group 6 (128%)
Table amount (6-11 years)€715
- Child benefit (½ of €259)€129.50
Payment amount€585.50

What affects the maintenance?

  1. Net income: The adjusted net income determines the income group. Work-related expenses can be deducted.
  2. Age of the child: The 4 age brackets (0-5, 6-11, 12-17, 18+) have different requirement rates.
  3. Number of children: With more than 2 dependants, the table is downgraded.
  4. Priority maintenance: Spousal maintenance is deducted from the income before the calculation.

Minimum retained amount: the basic needs of the payer

The minimum retained amount is the amount that must remain with the person liable to pay. It is intended to ensure that the payer can also cover their own living costs.

In 2026, the minimum retained amount towards minor children is €1,450 for those in employment and €1,200 for those not in employment.

Minimum retained amount 2026

Employed towards minors
€1,450 per month
Employed towards adults
€1,750 per month
Not employed towards minors
€1,200 per month
Not employed towards adults
€1,750 per month

Frequently asked questions about child maintenance

Key facts on the Düsseldorf Table and maintenance calculation

Step 1: determine the adjusted net income of the person liable to pay. Step 2: read off the income group in the Düsseldorf Table 2026. Step 3: take the table amount for the age bracket of the child. Step 4: subtract the child benefit offset (minor: half the child benefit = €129.50). The result is the monthly payment amount. Our calculator handles all steps automatically.

The Düsseldorf Table 2026 is the nationwide maintenance guideline of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, updated on 1 January 2026. It grades child maintenance into 15 income groups (up to €2,100 up to €11,200 net) and 4 age brackets (0–5, 6–11, 12–17, 18+ years).

The minimum maintenance 2026 (income group 1, up to €2,100 net) is: €486 for children up to 5 years, €558 for 6–11 years, €653 for 12–17 years and €698 for adult children. After deducting half the child benefit (€129.50), this gives, for example, a payment amount of €356.50 for the youngest age bracket.

For minor children, half the child benefit (€129.50 at €259 child benefit from 2026) is deducted from the table amount. For adult children, the full child benefit is offset. The remaining amount is the actual payment amount.

The minimum retained amount is the amount that must at least remain with the person liable to pay. In 2026, towards minor children this is: €1,450 for those in employment and €1,200 for those not in employment. If the income after deducting the maintenance falls below this, there is a hardship case.

A hardship case exists when the income of the person liable to pay is not enough to pay full maintenance for all children while also retaining the minimum retained amount (€1,450 for those in employment). The maintenance is then reduced proportionally according to the hardship distribution.

Child maintenance has to be paid until the child is economically independent. This is typically the case on completion of the first vocational training or first degree. Adults are generally under an obligation to seek employment.

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