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Calculator · D.7

Child Maintenance Calculator 2026

Calculate child maintenance under the Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2026: income bracket, payment amount, Selbstbehalt and hardship cases — for up to 5 children.

01

€1,450

Selbstbehalt (employed)

02

€129.50

Half Kindergeld deduction

03

2026

Data as of

Calculate child maintenance

Input

Monthly net income after deducting work-related expenses and the employment bonus (1/7). If unknown, use the gross-net calculator first.

€ / Monat
Employed (Selbstbehalt €1,450 instead of €1,200)
Child 1
FAQ — 06

Frequently Asked Questions: Child Maintenance Germany 2026

Q.01How is child maintenance calculated under the Düsseldorfer Tabelle?
Child maintenance is based on the adjusted net income of the obligor (§ 1610 BGB) and the age of the child. These two factors determine the income bracket (1–14) and the age group. The table amount is then reduced by half the Kindergeld (€129.50) — the remaining payment amount is the monthly maintenance.
Q.02What is the Selbstbehalt (self-retention amount) in child maintenance?
The Selbstbehalt is the minimum amount the obligor must retain for their own living costs. For employed obligors with minor children, the Selbstbehalt is €1,450 per month (as of 2026). If income after deducting the Selbstbehalt is insufficient for the full maintenance, a hardship case (Mangelfall) arises under § 1603 para. 2 BGB.
Q.03What happens when there are multiple children entitled to maintenance?
When multiple children are entitled to maintenance, the income bracket may be stepped down to reflect the increased burden. As a rule of thumb: step down by 1 level for 2 children, by 2 levels for 3 children, and by 3 levels for 4 or more children. The exact step-down depends on the individual case and is determined by the court.
Q.04How is Kindergeld deducted from child maintenance?
Kindergeld (€259 from 2023) is generally deducted at half its value (€129.50) from the table amount under § 1612b BGB. The payment amount is therefore the table amount minus €129.50. For adult children not living in a parent's household, the full Kindergeld amount is deducted.
Q.05What is a Mangelfall (hardship case) in maintenance law?
A Mangelfall arises when the obligor's adjusted net income, after deducting the Selbstbehalt (€1,450 for employed obligors), is insufficient to pay the full maintenance for all entitled children (§ 1603 para. 2 BGB). In such cases, the available funds are distributed proportionally (pro rata) among all children. Legal advice is strongly recommended in a hardship case.
Q.06What is the adjusted net income (bereinigtes Nettoeinkommen)?
The adjusted net income is the net income after deducting work-related expenses (commuting costs, union fees, etc.) and an employment bonus of 1/7 of the remaining income. The employment bonus is intended to preserve an incentive to work for the obligor. Use the Düsseldorfer Tabelle calculator to determine the exact adjusted net income.

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Düsseldorfer Tabelle482-649 EUR minimum supportUnterhaltsvorschussup to 394 EUR/monthKindergeld259 EUR per child

— Editorial

Redaktion Faktencheck

Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance

Before every release, our fact-check team reconciles the core figures — Kindergeld rate, Elterngeld thresholds, Kinderzuschlag tiers, Düsseldorfer Tabelle — with the latest official publications. Every cent shown in a calculator is traceable to a specific statute or agency notice.

Fact-checked by:Redaktion Faktencheck — Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance

Last reviewed:May 2026

Researched and editorially reviewed. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.

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