Spousal Maintenance Calculator 2026
Calculate post-marital maintenance: equal-share principle (45%), €1,600 self-retention amount, time limits based on marriage duration – all 6 maintenance types
As of September 2026Basis: §§ 1569–1575 BGB, Düsseldorf Table 2026Calculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
Status
Compensation up to the marital standard of living
net per month · tap or drag
net per month · tap or drag
The paying spouse is , the receiving spouse is and years old. The marriage lasted years.
More detailsChild maintenance €0 · Housing benefit €0 / €0
Housing benefits
Sets the retained minimum (€1,600/€1,475), the 5% allowance and the quota (45%/50%) · For the 5% allowance and the quota (45% earned income / 50% other income)
Monthly spousal maintenance
45% share
€1,091
€1,091Expected €1,091 a month as Top-up maintenance (§ 1573 Abs. 2 BGB) – 45% rate.
Marriage-duration factor50%
Longer marriages (> 20 years) usually lead to unlimited maintenance.
- Time limitGuideline: approx. 3 years (1/3 of the marriage duration)
- ReductionReduction to an appropriate level of self-support likely after the transition period
RZ-26 · headon.pro
Calculation steps (equal-share principle)
- Net income, paying spouse - child maintenance
- €4,000
- - 5% work-related expenses
- €150
- Adjusted income, paying spouse
- €3,850
- Adjusted income, entitled spouse
- €1,425
- Income difference
- €2,425
- 45% of the earned-income difference (equal-split principle)
- €1,091
- Maintenance after quota
- €1,091
- Max. maintenance (after self-retention amount €1,600)
- €2,250
- Final post-marital spousal maintenance
- €1,091
Top-up maintenance
§ 1573 Abs. 2 BGB
Difference between one's own and the marital standard of living
What you can do
Equal-share principle (since 2022)
The entitled spouse receives 45% of the difference in earned income: both incomes are split in half, and the working spouse additionally keeps 1/10 of their earned income as a work incentive bonus. Other income (housing benefit, pensions) is split 50/50 without the bonus. The former 3/7 method (1/7 bonus) was replaced nationwide by this 1/10 bonus as of 1 Jan 2022 following the 2019 Federal Court of Justice ruling.
Separation maintenance vs. post-marital maintenance
Separation maintenance: During the separation until the divorce. Hardly any time limit. Post-marital maintenance: After the divorce. Principle of self-responsibility (§ 1569 BGB) – maintenance only for special reasons.
How this was calculated
What is post-marital maintenance?
After a divorce, maintenance can be owed under certain conditions. The principle of self-responsibility (§ 1569 BGB) means that each ex-partner must, in principle, provide for themselves. Maintenance is only granted for special reasons.
Post-marital maintenance: the principle of self-responsibility
After a divorce, the principle of self-responsibility applies (§ 1569 BGB): each ex-partner must, in principle, provide for their own living expenses. Maintenance is only granted for certain statutory reasons.
Post-marital maintenance is calculated using the equal-share principle: 10% of both adjusted incomes remains exempt as an employment bonus, and the remainder is split equally between both partners — so the entitled spouse receives 45% of the income difference. The former 3/7 method (1/7 bonus) was replaced nationwide by a 2019 Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruling, effective 1 January 2022.
The 6 grounds for maintenance after divorce
- Childcare maintenance (§ 1570 BGB)
- For caring for joint children. At least until the child turns 3, then assessed case by case.
- Old-age maintenance (§ 1571 BGB)
- When employment can no longer reasonably be expected at the time of the divorce (retirement age).
- Illness maintenance (§ 1572 BGB)
- For reduced earning capacity due to illness or disability at the time of the divorce.
- Top-up maintenance (§ 1573 (2) BGB)
- Compensation up to the marital standard of living when one’s own income is not sufficient.
Example calculation: top-up maintenance after 12 years of marriage
- Net income, paying spouse
- €4,500
- - Work-related expenses (5%, max. €150)
- - €150
- Adjusted income, paying spouse
- €4,350
- Adjusted income, entitled spouse (1,800 - 90)
- €1,710
- Income difference
- €2,640
- x 45% (equal split, 1/10 bonus in the quota)
- x 45%
- Maintenance
- €1,188
- Net income, paying spouse
- €4,500
- - Child maintenance (priority)
- - €800
- - Work-related expenses (5%, max. €150)
- - €150
- Adjusted income, paying spouse
- €3,550
- Adjusted income, entitled spouse (1,800 - 90)
- €1,710
- Income difference
- €1,840
- Maintenance (45%)
- €828
Time limits and reduction of maintenance
Post-marital maintenance is usually limited in time (§ 1578b BGB). The duration depends on the length of the marriage and the marital standard of living.
Rules of thumb for time limits
- 1Short marriage (under 3 years)Usually no maintenance, or only a very briefly time-limited one.
- 2Medium marriage duration (3–10 years)A time limit of about 1/3 to 1/2 of the marriage duration is common.
- 3Long marriage (10–20 years)Longer time limit possible, but reduction to a reasonable minimum is possible.
- 4Very long marriage (over 20 years)Often unlimited maintenance, since the marital standard of living was formative.
Frequently asked questions about spousal maintenance
Everything important about calculation, time limits and grounds for maintenance
How is spousal maintenance calculated under the equal-share principle?
Step 1: Determine the adjusted net income of both ex-partners (minus 5% work-related expenses, capped at €150, and priority child maintenance). Step 2: 45% of the difference in earned income is the maintenance claim — the 1/10 employment bonus is already built into the quota (50% × 9/10 = 45%). Other income such as an imputed housing advantage (Wohnvorteil) or pensions is split 50/50 without the bonus. Example: €4,000 net for the paying spouse, €1,600 net for the entitled spouse (both in employment) → adjusted to €3,850/€1,520, difference €2,330 × 45% ≈ €1,049 per month.
What is the difference between separation maintenance and post-marital maintenance?
Separation maintenance is paid during the separation period until the divorce becomes final (§ 1361 BGB). Post-marital maintenance is paid after the divorce (§§ 1569 et seq. BGB). The key difference: after the divorce, the principle of self-responsibility applies – maintenance is only granted for certain statutory reasons.
When am I entitled to post-marital maintenance?
Maintenance after divorce is only granted for certain reasons: caring for joint children (§ 1570 BGB), age (§ 1571 BGB), illness/reduced earning capacity (§ 1572 BGB), unemployment (§ 1573 (1) BGB), top-up to the marital standard of living (§ 1573 (2) BGB), or education/training (§ 1575 BGB).
How long must spousal maintenance be paid?
The duration depends on the type of maintenance and the length of the marriage. For long marriages (over 20 years), maintenance can be unlimited. For shorter marriages, a time limit of 1/3 to 1/2 of the marriage duration is common. Childcare maintenance applies at least until the youngest child turns 3.
What is the self-retention amount for spousal maintenance in 2026?
The self-retention amount is the sum that must remain with the person liable to pay maintenance. Towards a divorced spouse it is €1,600 in 2026 if employed, or €1,475 if not employed. Spousal maintenance ranks below child maintenance – so child maintenance is deducted from the income first.
Can spousal maintenance be forfeited?
Yes, the maintenance claim can be forfeited under § 1579 BGB, for example if the entitled spouse enters a new marriage-like relationship, seriously insults the paying spouse, or has deliberately made themselves needy. The court decides on a case-by-case basis.