Düsseldorfer Tabelle2026.
Calculate child support using the official Düsseldorfer Tabelle — with Kindergeld deduction (€259/month) and self-support level.
€480
Min. support 0–5 yrs
€645
Min. support 12–17 yrs
2026
Data year
What is the Düsseldorfer Tabelle?
The Düsseldorfer Tabelle is Germany's most widely used guideline for calculating child maintenance. Published annually by the OLG Düsseldorf, it sets reference values for the minimum maintenance of minor and adult children.
The actual payment is calculated after deducting half of Kindergeld: €129.50 (2026: €259 ÷ 2). The paying parent's self-support level in 2026 is at least €1,450/month.
Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2026
InputNet income of the obligor after deduction of work-related costs
Result
Fill in the inputs and click "Calculate".
Extract from 15 income tiers × 4 age groups (60 cells total). Self-support level 2026: €1,450 (employed) against minor children. Source: OLG Düsseldorf, in force from 01.01.2026.
Frequently asked questions about the Düsseldorfer Tabelle
Q.01What is the Düsseldorfer Tabelle?
Q.02What is the difference between Tabellenbetrag and Zahlbetrag?
Q.03How high is the Selbstbehalt (self-support level) in 2026?
Q.04What is a Mangelfall (shortage case)?
Q.05When must I pay child support?
Q.06Is Kindergeld deducted from child support?
— Explainer
What is the Düsseldorfer Tabelle and how does child maintenance work in 2026?
The Düsseldorfer Tabelle is the recognised reference for child maintenance (Barunterhalt) in Germany for both minor and adult children. The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf revises it annually in coordination with the other regional appeal courts, defining 15 income tiers × 4 age groups. Although not a statute, almost all family courts follow it — giving it de facto binding force.
The legal basis is the BGB (§§ 1601–1615). Direct-line relatives owe each other maintenance. For minor children, the parent the child lives with discharges the duty through care and upbringing (Naturalunterhalt). The other parent owes Barunterhalt — set by the Düsseldorfer Tabelle and the bereinigtes (adjusted) net income.
Key distinction: Tabellenbetrag (tier amount) vs. Zahlbetrag (payable amount). The tier amount comes from the table (e.g. 482 € for a 4-year-old in tier 1 in 2026). From this, half the Kindergeld (129.50 €) for minors or the full Kindergeld (259 €) for adults is deducted — the Zahlbetrag is what actually gets transferred.
The base figure is the adjusted net income: gross minus tax and social charges minus job-related expenses (5% flat, min. 50 € / max. 150 €) minus eligible debt (e.g. mortgage), plus monetary benefits (private use of a company car).
— Calculation
Maintenance is set in four steps: compute the adjusted net income, look up the income tier and age group, take the tier amount, deduct Kindergeld.
| Minimum maintenance 2026 (tier 1) | 482 / 554 / 649 € Age groups 0–5 / 6–11 / 12–17 |
|---|---|
| Adults (tier 1) | 693 € Student needs €950 (assessed separately) |
| Income tiers | 15 tiers Tier 1: up to 2,100 € / Tier 15: above 11,000 € net |
| Self-retention vs. minors | 1,450 € (working) 1,200 € (non-working) — 2026 figure |
| Self-retention vs. adults | 1,750 € Privileged adults: same retention as minors |
| Kindergeld deduction (minors) | 129.50 € (½ Kindergeld) Subtracted from the tier amount |
| Kindergeld deduction (adults) | 259 € (full Kindergeld) Except for privileged adults |
| Job-related expenses | 5% of net income Minimum 50 €, maximum 150 € |
The table is updated annually — usually on 1 January. For very high incomes above tier 15 (over 11,000 € net), maintenance is set concretely, no longer by the table. Sonderbedarf (class trip, glasses) and Mehrbedarf (Kita fees, tutoring) come on top.
— Edge cases
Mangelfall (shortfall)
If the adjusted net income is insufficient to cover both the self-retention (1,450 €) and the full tier amount for all children, a Mangelfall arises. The available amount is distributed proportionally — often well below the tier amount.
BGH FamRZ 2003, 1267
Shared custody
In true shared custody (child living equally with both parents, both bearing costs), Barunterhalt is calculated proportionally to the respective incomes. Both parents can owe maintenance in theory; Kindergeld is split equally.
BGH XII ZB 565/15
Mehrbedarf and Sonderbedarf
Mehrbedarf are regular extra costs not included in the tier (Kita, private school, tutoring). Sonderbedarf are rare, one-off high costs (class trip, confirmation, braces). Both are split additionally to the tier amount in proportion to income.
§ 1610 (2) BGB
Privileged vs. non-privileged adults
Privileged are adults up to 21 who live with a parent and are in general school or vocational training. They benefit from the lower self-retention (1,450 €) like minors. Non-privileged adults (e.g. students with their own flat): self-retention 1,750 €.
§ 1603 (2) BGB
Adjusted net income
Not gross, not pure net — but net minus job-related expenses (5%) minus eligible debt minus retirement savings (additional 4% of gross). Monetary benefits (company car) are added back.
Düsseldorfer Tabelle, notes
Second marriage and new children
If the obligor has further children from a new relationship, the needs of all children share the available income. New children do not crowd out the older ones' claim, but may trigger a Mangelfall.
§ 1609 BGB
— How to enforce maintenance
Ideally parents agree out of court. If not, the Jugendamt (free Beistandschaft) and ultimately the family court can help.
- 01
Determine the other parent's income
Duty of disclosure under § 1605 BGB — the obligor must provide payslips for the last 12 months and the latest tax assessment. If refused, an action for disclosure is possible.
- 02
Compute the adjusted net income
Gross → net → minus job-related expenses (5%) → minus eligible debt → minus additional retirement savings → plus monetary benefits.
- 03
Determine tier amount and payable amount
Look up income tier and age group in the Düsseldorfer Tabelle → tier amount → minus half (or full) Kindergeld → payable amount.
- 04
Assess Mehrbedarf and Sonderbedarf
List all regular extra costs (Kita, tutoring) and one-off costs (class trip, glasses). These are split additionally in proportion to income — usually by income ratio.
- 05
Engage the Jugendamt — Beistandschaft
The Jugendamt offers free Beistandschaft. It represents the child versus the other parent — paternity establishment, maintenance claim and litigation. Apply at the local Jugendamt.
- 06
Family court — enforceable title
If no agreement is reached: file at the family court for a maintenance title. With a title, enforcement against income or assets of the obligor becomes possible.
— Common mistakes
Using gross instead of net
The Düsseldorfer Tabelle always refers to the adjusted net income. Anyone using gross will arrive at amounts the family court will not recognise.
Deducting debt indiscriminately
Only eligible debt (mortgage taken before the separation) reduces income. Consumer credit taken after separation is usually not recognised.
Forgetting the Kindergeld deduction
From the tier amount, half Kindergeld (129.50 €) must be subtracted for minors, full Kindergeld (259 €) for adults. Missing this leads to over-demands or over-payments.
Not claiming Mehrbedarf
Kita fees, class trips, glasses — all separate from the tier amount. Failing to claim leaves money on the table.
Falling below the self-retention
If the adjusted net after maintenance falls below the self-retention (1,450 € against minors), a Mangelfall arises — the claim must be reduced. Self-retention forces the shortfall split.
Ignoring duty of disclosure
The obligor must disclose income on request (§ 1605 BGB). Failure can result in a disclosure action — and in litigation assumptions are made to the obligor's detriment.
— Sources & legal basis
- §Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2026 – OLG DüsseldorfOffizielle Tabelle, jährlich aktualisiert
- §BGB § 1601–1615 – UnterhaltspflichtGesetzliche Grundlage Kindesunterhalt
- §familienportal.de – KindesunterhaltBundesportal: Unterhalt, Beistandschaft
Note: This calculation is a non-binding estimate based on the Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2026. Actual maintenance is determined by agreement or court order. Consult a specialist family law attorney.
As of: January 2026
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— Editorial
Elena Maurer
Editor-in-Chief
Elena leads the editorial team at familienleistungen-rechner.de. She researches and updates the calculators and guides based on official legislation and federal authorities. Her goal: making complex social benefits understandable and accessible for families.
Fact-checked by:Redaktion Faktencheck — Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance
Last reviewed:15 January 2026
Researched and editorially reviewed. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.
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