Düsseldorf Table 2026: Payable Amounts & Kindergeld Credit

Official date: 1 January 2026. Editorial review: 1 August 2026. The Düsseldorf Table is Germany's widely used child-maintenance guideline. It is not legislation and does not itself create an enforceable maintenance title. The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court publishes it after coordination with the other Higher Regional Courts and the German Family Court Conference.

This guide uses the official 2026 figures. They are not the same as the 2025 values. For a minor child, half of the 2026 Kindergeld — €129.50 — is generally credited against the table amount. For an adult child, the full €259 is generally credited.

Key figures for 2026

In income group 1, up to €2,100 adjusted monthly net income, the monthly table needs are:

• ages 0–5: €486 need and normally €356.50 payable after the half-Kindergeld credit
• ages 6–11: €558 need and normally €428.50 payable
• ages 12–17: €653 need and normally €523.50 payable
• age 18+ while living with a parent: €698 need and normally €439 payable after the full Kindergeld credit

The table amount is therefore not automatically the amount transferred. The child's own income, other maintenance claimants, the protected minimum and the payer's actual capacity can change the result.

Official 2026 needs table before Kindergeld credit

Above €11,200 the official table gives no standard amount. A simple linear extension is not binding; the child's needs must be assessed individually.

How to derive the payable amount

1. Establish adjusted monthly net income. Which expenses are recognised depends on the case and the guidelines of the competent Higher Regional Court.
2. Select the income group and the child's age group.
3. Read the table need.
4. Normally deduct €129.50 for a minor or €259 for an adult child.
5. Check other maintenance duties, the protected minimum and any shortfall case.

Example without special circumstances: a ten-year-old child and €2,800 adjusted net income fall in group 3. The need is €614. After half of Kindergeld is credited, the indicative payable amount is €484.50. This illustrates only the table method and does not confirm capacity to pay.

Protected minimum and shortfall cases

For minor and privileged adult children, the 2026 table states a necessary protected minimum of €1,450 for an employed payer and €1,200 for a non-employed payer. Up to €520 warm rent is included. For non-privileged adult children, the appropriate protected minimum is at least €1,750.

If income remaining after the protected minimum cannot cover all equal-ranking claims, a shortfall calculation may be needed. The official method allocates the available amount in proportion to the Einsatzbeträge — the payable needs after Kindergeld credit. This is a situation for the Jugendamt, a Beistandschaft or legal advice, because an online tool cannot represent every ranking and needs issue.

More than one maintenance claimant

The table is generally based on two maintenance claimants. With more or fewer claimants, moving to a lower or higher income group may be appropriate. There is no binding automatic rule that every additional child always reduces the result by exactly one group. The calculator therefore treats any adjustment as guidance only.

Adult children and students

Adult children living with a parent use the fourth age column. For a student who does not live with either parent, the table usually states a monthly need of €990, including up to €440 warm rent. Health and long-term-care insurance and tuition fees are not included. Both parents are generally liable in proportion to capacity, and full Kindergeld is credited.

What the calculator can and cannot do

The calculator implements the official 15 groups, four age groups and Kindergeld credit. It is useful for a plausibility check. It cannot automatically resolve housing benefits, fluctuating or self-employed income, debts, special needs, shared care, further priority claimants or an existing enforceable title.

Single parents can ask the Jugendamt about a free Beistandschaft. Do not change payments under an existing title solely because an online result differs.

Official sources

• Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court: Düsseldorf Table 2026 (PDF)
• German Civil Code § 1612b: Kindergeld credit
• German Civil Code § 1603: capacity to pay
• Federal Family Portal: maintenance