German child-support calculator 2026

What the calculator does

The tool implements German child support 2026 along the Düsseldorf Table of the OLG Düsseldorf, effective from 1 January 2026. From the adjusted net monthly income of the paying parent, the child’s age bracket, the employment status and optional job-related expenses it computes the income group, the table amount, the child-benefit offset under §1612b BGB and the net monthly payment. In parallel it checks the self-retention under §1603 BGB and flags hardship cases.

It honours the minimum amounts of all four age brackets under §1612a BGB (€482 / €554 / €649 / €693), the ten income groups with percentage uplifts (100 % to 160 % of the minimum), the half-rate offset for minors, the full offset for adults and the 2026 self-retention amounts for employed (€1,450) and unemployed (€1,200) parents.

How does the Düsseldorf Table work?

The table assigns a percentage uplift on the statutory minimum support to every income. The logic runs along two axes:

Columns (income groups): The adjusted net income of the paying parent determines the percentage. The 2026 Düsseldorf Table has 15 income groups: group 1 (up to €2,100) pays 100 %, group 2 (up to €2,500) pays 107 %. The tier rises through 114 %, 121 %, 128 %, 137 %, 146 %, 156 %, 166 %, 176 % (groups 3–10), then 187 %, 198 %, 210 %, 222 % and peaks at 234 % in group 15 (up to €11,200 net). Above €11,200 individual assessment applies — the table ends there.

Rows (age brackets): Minimum amounts under §1612a BGB distinguish four brackets — 0–5, 6–11, 12–17 and 18+. The table is adjusted yearly to the Minimum-Maintenance Regulation, which itself tracks the tax-allowance for children.

Calculation: Table amount = minimum × percentage / 100. Example: paying parent €2,500 net, child 8 years old. Age bracket 2 (minimum €554), group 2 (105 %). 554 × 105 / 100 = €581.70 table amount. Minus half-rate child-benefit offset €129.50 (half of €259). Net payment: €452.20 per month.

How is child benefit offset?

§1612b BGB regulates the child-benefit offset as a separate step after the table calculation. The rationale: child benefit is not income of the child but a state contribution to subsistence. It is split between the parents — hence the halving for minors.

Minor children: Half of the child benefit is offset against the table amount. At €259 child benefit (2026 uniform rate, effective 1 January 2026), that is €129.50 offset. The net payment equals table amount minus €129.50.

Adult children: The full child benefit is offset — €259. This is significantly more and typically leads to lower net payments for adult children than for minors in the same income group. Background: for adults both parents are liable for monetary support, but child benefit is paid to one parent only — full offset balances this.

Child benefit 2026: Since 1 January 2025 child benefit is a flat €255 per child, raised to €259 from 1 January 2026 (Inflation-Adjustment Act). Earlier per-child tiers (1st/2nd/3rd/4th child) were abolished in 2023.

What is the self-retention and when does hardship apply?

The self-retention protects the paying parent’s subsistence under §1603 BGB. For 2026 the OLG Düsseldorf carried the 2025 amounts forward without change:

• Employed paying parent: €1,450 per month (necessary self-retention)
• Unemployed paying parent: €1,200 per month
• Adult-child support: €1,750 per month (so-called appropriate self-retention)

If the income after support payments falls below the self-retention, a hardship case (Mangelfall) is triggered. Support claims are then reduced proportionally. The priority order: minor children and privileged adult children (up to 21, living at home, in school) come before other adults or the spouse.

Example: paying parent €1,700 net, employed, one child age 4. Table amount €482, child-benefit offset €129.50, net payment €352.50. Remaining income: 1,700 − 352.50 = €1,347.50. That is €102.50 below the self-retention — hardship. The payment must be proportionally reduced, often to the difference amount.

Which job-related expenses are deductible?

The Düsseldorf Table allows job-related expenses to be deducted from net income before the income group is determined. The guideline of the family-law senates:

Flat rate: 5 percent of net income, with a floor of €50 and a cap of €150 per month. This flat rate is accepted without proof.

Itemised proof: Higher amounts must be documented — commuting allowance (km × €0.30 × 220 working days / 12), professional training, work tools, dual-household. For long commutes (>30 km one-way) itemising typically beats the flat rate.

Not deductible: Debts for voluntary acquisitions (car-leasing above average need, consumer loans), support payments to new partners (other than spouse), private insurance beyond statutory social contributions.

The calculator takes a freely-entered expense amount. If unsure, use the OLG flat rate (5 %, capped) or consult a family-law attorney.

How is the table adjusted for 2026?

The Düsseldorf Table is published every November by the OLG Düsseldorf for the following year and aligned to the Minimum-Maintenance Regulation of the BMJ. The regulation tracks the tax-allowance for children and the substantive subsistence minimum.

2026 changes vs 2025:

• Minimum amounts moderately increased for age brackets 0–17 (486 / 558 / 653 € vs. 482 / 554 / 649 €).
• Adult column (18+) restructured: 2026 aligns adults with the 100 % base rate (€568) rather than the previous separate €693 anchor.
• Income groups unchanged in count (15 groups since 2022) and thresholds; percentage uplifts revised slightly across the bands.
• Self-retention amounts: employed €1,450, unemployed €1,200 — both unchanged versus 2025.
• Child benefit raised to €259 from 1 January 2026 (Inflation-Adjustment Act).

Existing support titles issued before a table adjustment can be modified through a motion under §§238, 239 FamFG — when the adjustment yields more than 10 % difference, the motion is usually well-founded.

What are the common use cases?

• Pre-calculation before an attorney consult or Jugendamt advisory meeting
• Plausibility check of an existing support order after table adjustment
• Comparison across family configurations (several children, different age brackets)
• Estimating the hardship-case threshold at low incomes
• Household budgeting: cash flow after support payment
• Preparing a modification motion when income changes by more than 10 %

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Düsseldorf Table?

The Düsseldorf Table is a child-support guideline of the OLG Düsseldorf adopted by every German higher regional court. It tiers the minimum support under §1612a BGB across fifteen income groups and four age brackets (since 2022 the historic 10 groups have been extended by 5 groups for higher incomes up to €11,200). It is updated annually and takes effect on 1 January of the following year. Although not a statute, the table has de-facto binding force across all family courts.

How high is the minimum support in 2026?

Under §1612a BGB the minimum support 2026 in the lowest income group (1) is €482 for children up to 5 years, €554 for 6–11, €649 for 12–17 and €693 for adults aged 18+. Higher income groups apply percentage uplifts up to 160 percent of the minimum (group 10, up to €5,700 net).

How is child benefit offset?

Under §1612b BGB the federal child benefit is credited against the table amount: half-rate for minors, fully for adult children. At €259 child benefit per month (2026 uniform rate), that means €129.50 offset for minors and €259 for adults. The final payment equals table amount minus offset.

What is the self-retention?

The self-retention safeguards the paying parent’s subsistence. In 2026 it is €1,450 per month for employed parents and €1,200 for unemployed parents — both unchanged versus 2025. If the remaining income after support payment falls below the self-retention, a hardship case is triggered — claims are proportionally reduced.

What is a hardship case?

A hardship case (Mangelfall) exists when the paying parent’s income after support payments falls below the self-retention. Support claims are then reduced proportionally — minor children and privileged adult children (up to 21, living at home, in school) have priority over other adults or the spouse. Hardship cases require individual calculation and should be reviewed by a family-law attorney, because the exact distribution depends on special rules (privileged adults, need assessment).

Which job-related expenses are deductible?

A flat 5 percent of net income, with a floor of €50 and a cap of €150 per month. Higher amounts must be itemised (commuting allowance, training, work tools, dual-household). Deductions reduce the net income before the income group is determined.

Does the table apply to adult-child support?

Yes, the table has a dedicated column for adults (age bracket 4, 18+, minimum €693). Special rules apply: child benefit is offset in full, both parents are proportionally liable, and the self-retention is higher (typically €1,750). Privileged adult children (under 21, living at home, in general school education) retain the minor self-retention.

What happens when income changes?

A substantial income change can trigger a modification motion under §§238, 239 FamFG. Rule of thumb: a more than 10 % difference from the existing title is usually a well-founded basis. The calculator shows the new table amount — compare it to the existing payment to estimate the gap. Important: in case of income reduction the paying parent must actively file for modification; no automatic reduction applies.

Does the calculator share my data?

No. Every calculation runs entirely in your browser. There is no sign-up, no calculator cookie, no tracking, and no server call carrying income or family data. The page works offline once loaded. Binding calculations remain the responsibility of a family-law attorney or the local Jugendamt (free assistance available for minor children through the Beistandschaft procedure).