GermanyHow is child support calculated in Germany?
Child support in Germany is calculated using the Düsseldorf Table, based on the non-custodial parent’s net income and the child’s age, with legally defined minimum amounts tied to the child’s age-based percentage of the tax-free basic needs allowance.
What the Law Says
German child support is governed by statutory rules that prioritize the child’s basic needs while balancing the paying parent’s ability to pay. The law sets both a minimum floor and a framework for fair calculation — not a fixed flat rate.
Under BGB § 1601, parents have a legal duty to provide maintenance for their children — a mutual obligation rooted in family ties. This applies regardless of marital status or custody arrangement.
BGB § 1603 clarifies that a parent is only required to pay support if they can do so without jeopardizing their own reasonable standard of living. If both parents are financially constrained, they must pool all available resources equally for the child’s benefit — especially for minors and unmarried adult children under 21 who live at home and attend school.
The core calculation tool is found in BGB § 1612a, which establishes legally binding minimum child support amounts. These are expressed as percentages of the child’s tax-free basic needs allowance (sächliches Existenzminimum), adjusted by age group. The law mandates rounding up to the nearest full euro and limits calculations to one decimal place.
Statutory TextVerwandte in gerader Linie sind verpflichtet, einander Unterhalt zu gewähren.
— BGB § 1601 — Maintenance obligation between relatives
Statutory Text(1) Unterhaltspflichtig ist nicht, wer bei Berücksichtigung seiner sonstigen Verpflichtungen außerstande ist, ohne Gefährdung seines angemessenen Unterhalts den Unterhalt zu gewähren.
— BGB § 1603 (1) — Capacity to provide maintenance
Statutory Text(1) Ein minderjähriges Kind kann von einem Elternteil, mit dem es nicht in einem Haushalt lebt, den Unterhalt als Prozentsatz des jeweiligen Mindestunterhalts verlangen. Der Mindestunterhalt richtet sich nach dem steuerfrei zu stellenden sächlichen Existenzminimum des minderjährigen Kindes. Er beträgt monatlich entsprechend dem Alter des Kindes für die Zeit bis zur Vollendung des sechsten Lebensjahrs (erste Altersstufe) 87 Prozent, für die Zeit vom siebten bis zur Vollendung des zwölften Lebensjahrs (zweite Altersstufe) 100 Prozent und für die Zeit vom 13. Lebensjahr an (dritte Altersstufe) 117 Prozent des steuerfrei zu stellenden sächlichen Existenzminimums des minderjährigen Kindes.
— BGB § 1612a (1) — Minimum maintenance for minor children
What Courts Have Said
German courts consistently apply the Düsseldorf Table — a widely accepted guideline — to determine fair child support amounts. They emphasize that adjustments are mandatory when income changes significantly, but also require proof of genuine effort to maintain earning capacity.
When a parent’s income rises or falls substantially, child support must be recalculated using the current Duesseldorf Table — no automatic freeze or delay is permitted.
Temporary unemployment does not eliminate support obligations; the paying parent must show active, serious efforts to regain employment to justify any reduction.
What to Do
Confirm your net monthly income (after taxes, social security, and mandatory pension contributions).
Identify your child’s current age group (0–5, 6–12, or 13+) to apply the correct BGB § 1612a percentage (87%, 100%, or 117%).
Use the official Düsseldorf Table (updated every two years) to match your income bracket and find the base amount — then apply the age-based percentage.
Round the final result to the nearest full euro (upward if fractional).
File for adjustment with the family court if your income changes by more than ~10% or your child moves to a new age group.
Sources
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South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.