👶 Child maintenance and the Düsseldorf Table
In brief
Parents owe maintenance to their minor child, regardless of whether they were or are married to each other (§ 1601 BGB). The parent with whom the child lives generally fulfils their maintenance obligation through care and upbringing (in-kind maintenance); the other parent pays cash maintenance (§ 1606 Abs. 3 BGB). How much this is depends on the income of the paying parent and the child's age – the Düsseldorf Table of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf serves as a nationwide guideline.
Child maintenance takes priority over most other maintenance claims (§ 1609 Nr. 1 BGB). For single parents there are additional benefits such as advance maintenance payments (Unterhaltsvorschuss) if the other parent does not pay or does not pay in full – you will find more on this and on practical enforcement in the Wegweiser for single mothers (Alleinerziehende Mütter).
Step by step
- Determine incomeCalculate the net income relevant for maintenance of the paying parent, adjusted for work-related expenses and certain debts.
- Find the income bracket and age groupThe Düsseldorf Table assigns the income to one of 15 income brackets and the child to one of four age groups.
- Offset child benefitHalf of the child benefit is deducted from the table amount to determine the amount actually payable (payment amount).
- Check the self-retention amountCheck whether the paying parent retains the necessary self-retention amount after deduction of maintenance.
- Obtain an enforceable titleHave the maintenance claim recorded in an enforceable title by notarial deed, by youth welfare office (Jugendamt) deed or by court, so that it is enforceable if in doubt.
Deadlines
- The Düsseldorf Table is not a legal norm but a guideline developed by case law – courts can deviate from it in individual cases.
- The amounts given apply to the standard case of two persons entitled to maintenance; with more or fewer entitled persons, the relevant income bracket shifts.
- The table's amounts and income brackets are adjusted regularly, usually annually on 1 January – before a calculation, check whether the values given here (as of 1.1.2026) are still current.
- If the other parent does not pay, you must take action yourself (reminder, title, enforcement if necessary) or apply for advance maintenance payments (Unterhaltsvorschuss) at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) – see the Wegweiser for single mothers (Alleinerziehende Mütter).
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Legal basis
Parents' maintenance obligation towards their children arises from §§ 1601 ff. BGB. Under § 1609 Nr. 1 BGB, child maintenance has the highest priority: minors and children of full age treated as equivalent under § 1603 Abs. 2 Satz 2 BGB, in school or initial vocational training up to age 21, take precedence over practically all other persons entitled to maintenance.
Düsseldorf Table 2026
The table, published by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf and coordinated with the other Higher Regional Courts and the German Family Courts Congress, is regarded nationwide as a guideline. Since 1 January 2026, the minimum maintenance in the first income bracket (adjusted net income up to €2,100) is €486 per month for children aged 0–5, €558 for 6–11-year-olds and €653 for 12–17-year-olds. The table continues to comprise 15 income brackets up to an adjusted net income of €11,200. Under § 1612b BGB, half of the child benefit (2026: €259 per month, of which €129.50 is creditable) is deducted from the table amount, which gives the actual payment amount.
Self-retention amount
The guidelines of the Higher Regional Courts attached to the Düsseldorf Table also set self-retention rates that must in any case remain with the parent liable for maintenance. The exact self-retention amounts are likewise adjusted regularly and are to be taken from the current guidelines of the competent Higher Regional Court.
Note on currency: The euro amounts given come from the version of the Düsseldorf Table published as of 1 January 2026. By experience they change regularly; before a specific calculation, check the current version at the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf.
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