Current for 2026•As of: July 2026

Separation Maintenance Calculator 2026 calculate for free.

Calculate separation maintenance: self-retention amount of €1,600, child maintenance deduction and employment bonus taken into account – instant result

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Person liable to pay (pays maintenance)

€
0 €15,000 €

Affects the self-retention amount and the calculation

€
0 €2,000 €

Person entitled to maintenance (receives maintenance)

€
0 €15,000 €

For calculating work-related expenses

€
0 €2,000 €

Obligation to work

After a longer separation, there may be an obligation to take up employment

Priority maintenance

€
0 €3,000 €

Child maintenance is deducted from the paying spouse's income, as it takes priority.

Separation maintenance 2026

  • Equal-split principle: 45% on earned income (1/10 bonus), 50% on other income
  • Employment bonus: 1/10 of the income remains with the paying spouse
  • Self-retention amount: €1,600 (employed) / €1,475 (not employed)
  • Applies during the separation until the divorce becomes final

Monthly separation maintenance

1,316 €

Equal-split principle (45% quota)

Adjusted incomes

Person liable to pay4,350 €
Person entitled to maintenance1,425 €
Difference2,925 €

Calculation steps

Net income of the paying spouse
4,500 €
- Work-related expenses (5%)
-150 €
= Adjusted income of the paying spouse
4,350 €
Adjusted income of the entitled spouse
1,425 €
Income difference
2,925 €
45% of the earned-income difference

Employment bonus: 1/10 remains with the paying spouse (DT 2026)

1,316 €
Separation maintenance after quota
1,316 €
Self-retention amount of the paying spouse

Employed

1,600 €
Max. maintenance (after self-retention)
2,750 €
Final separation maintenance
1,316 €

Self-retention amount

Self-retention amount of the paying spouse1,600 €
Max. payable maintenance2,750 €

Calculation basis:

  • Equal-split principle: 45% on earned income (1/10 bonus), 50% on other income
  • Employment bonus: 1/10 remains with the paying spouse
  • Self-retention amount 2026: €1,600 (employed) / €1,475 (not employed)
  • Child maintenance must be taken into account with priority

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

Separation maintenance: what you need to know

The separation maintenance (Section 1361 BGB) preserves the marital standard of living for both spouses during the separation period. It is paid from the moment of physical separation until the divorce becomes final.

The calculation follows the equal-share principle with a 1/10 employment bonus (uniform nationwide since 01.01.2022, DT 2026 note B. I): the person entitled to maintenance receives 45% of the income difference. The employed spouse keeps the remaining 55% - which includes the employment bonus of 1/10.

Requirements for separation maintenance

Physical separation
The spouses must live apart - either in separate homes or in a "separation within the shared home".
Income difference
The person entitled to maintenance must have a lower adjusted income than the paying spouse.
No divorce yet
Separation maintenance only applies until the divorce becomes final. Different rules apply afterwards.
Need
The entitled spouse cannot cover their needs (marital standard of living) from their own income.

Example calculation: separation maintenance with equal-share and 1/10 bonus

Paying spouse: €4,500 | Entitled spouse: €1,500 net

Paying spouse: €4,500 | Entitled spouse: €1,500 net
ItemAmount
Net income paying spouse€4,500
- Work-related expenses (5%)- €150
= Adjusted income paying spouse€4,350
Adjusted income entitled spouse€1,425
Income difference€2,925
x 45% (share)x 45.00%
Separation maintenance€1,316

Important factors in the calculation

  1. Adjusted income: Work-related expenses (5%) and, where applicable, child maintenance are deducted from the net income.
  2. Housing benefit: Anyone living in their own property must have the saved rent counted as income.
  3. Child maintenance (priority): Child maintenance takes priority over spousal maintenance and is deducted from the paying spouse's income.
  4. Self-retention amount: The paying spouse must retain at least €1,600 (employed) or €1,475 (not employed).

Obligation to work during the separation

During the separation period there is generally no immediate obligation to take up employment. This changes, however, as the separation continues longer.

When does an obligation to work apply?

First year of separation
Usually no obligation to work. The entitled spouse does not have to take up employment.
Increasing afterwards
After the first year, the expectation increases that the entitled spouse will look for suitable work.
Childcare
While caring for children under 3 years of age, there is no obligation to work.
Notional income
If the obligation to work is breached, a notional income can be attributed.

Frequently asked questions about separation maintenance

Key facts on the calculation and duration of separation maintenance

Separation maintenance is the maintenance paid during the separation period – from physical separation until the divorce becomes final. It is based on Section 1361 BGB and is intended to preserve the marital standard of living for both partners.

Separation maintenance in 2026 is calculated using the nationwide equal-share principle with a 1/10 employment bonus (45%, DT 2026 note B. I): both net incomes are adjusted for work-related expenses (5%), then the difference is multiplied by 45%. Example: adjusted income of the paying spouse €4,000, entitled spouse €1,200 – difference €2,800 × 45% = €1,260 separation maintenance (before the self-retention check).

The self-retention amount towards the separated spouse in 2026 is €1,600 for those in employment and €1,475 for those not in employment. At least this amount must remain with the paying spouse. If the adjusted income falls below this, the maintenance claim is reduced or eliminated.

Separation maintenance is paid throughout the entire separation period until the divorce becomes final. The separation year lasts at least 12 months but can also take longer. Different rules apply after the divorce (post-marital maintenance under Section 1569 BGB).

In the first year of separation there is usually no obligation to work. After a longer separation, however, an obligation to take up employment can arise, especially if there are no children to look after. In that case, a "notional income" can be attributed.

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