Separation Maintenance Calculator 2026
Calculate separation maintenance: self-retention amount of €1,600, child maintenance deduction and employment bonus taken into account – instant result
As of September 2026Basis: § 1361 BGB, Düsseldorf Table 2026Calculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
Person liable to pay (pays maintenance)
Person entitled to maintenance (receives maintenance)
The paying spouse is , the receiving spouse is .
If the children live with the parent entitled to maintenance, enter their ages, e.g. “4, 9”. Child maintenance per the Düsseldorf Table 2026 is then calculated and deducted first – as in the child maintenance calculator.
Child maintenance is deducted from the paying spouse's income, as it takes priority.
More detailsHousing benefit €0 / €0 · Duty to work: no
Affects the self-retention amount and the calculation · For calculating work-related expenses
Obligation to work
Monthly separation maintenance
Equal-split principle (45% quota)
€1,316.00
€1,316.00Expected separation maintenance of €1,316.00 a month – 45% rate on an adjusted difference of €2,925.
Adjusted incomes
- Difference
- €2,925.00
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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 differenceEmployment bonus: 1/10 remains with the paying spouse (DT 2026)
- €1,316
- Separation maintenance after quota
- €1,316
- Self-retention amount of the paying spouseEmployed
- €1,600
- Max. maintenance (after self-retention)
- €2,750
- Final separation maintenance
- €1,316
Self-retention amount
- Self-retention amount of the paying spouse
- €1,600.00
- Max. payable maintenance
- €2,750.00
What you can do
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
How this was calculated
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
Separation maintenance: what you need to know
The separation maintenance (§ 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
Important factors in the calculation
- 1Adjusted incomeWork-related expenses (5%) and, where applicable, child maintenance are deducted from the net income.
- 2Housing benefitAnyone living in their own property must have the saved rent counted as income.
- 3Child maintenance (priority)Child maintenance takes priority over spousal maintenance and is deducted from the paying spouse's income.
- 4Self-retention amountThe paying spouse must retain at least €1,600 (employed) or €1,475 (not employed).
- 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
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
What is separation maintenance?
Separation maintenance is the maintenance paid during the separation period – from physical separation until the divorce becomes final. It is based on § 1361 BGB and is intended to preserve the marital standard of living for both partners.
How is separation maintenance calculated in 2026?
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).
How high is the self-retention amount for separation maintenance in 2026?
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.
How long must separation maintenance be paid?
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 § 1569 BGB).
Does the person entitled to maintenance have to work?
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.