GermanyCan spousal maintenance be modified after divorce?
Yes, spousal maintenance in Germany can be modified after divorce if there is a significant and lasting change in circumstances affecting either party’s income, needs, or ability to work.
What the Law Says
German law allows for modification of spousal maintenance after divorce when circumstances change significantly — but it does not happen automatically. The court must reassess based on current facts and statutory criteria.
Under BGB § 1578, the amount of maintenance is determined by the standard of living during the marriage and covers the full cost of living — including health, long-term care, and vocational training expenses. Crucially, this amount is not fixed forever: it remains subject to judicial review whenever a material change occurs.
The law does not set a time limit on maintenance, nor does it guarantee lifelong payments. Instead, maintenance continues only as long as the recipient remains unable to support themselves adequately — for example, due to age, illness, childcare responsibilities, or lack of vocational opportunity. If the recipient’s financial situation improves (e.g., through new employment or inheritance), or the payer’s worsens (e.g., job loss or disability), either party may petition the family court for adjustment.
Importantly, maintenance can also be reduced or terminated if the recipient engages in serious marital misconduct — such as egregious adultery — under § 1579 No. 7 BGB, though this is assessed strictly and rarely applied.
Statutory TextDas Maß des Unterhalts bestimmt sich nach den ehelichen Lebensverhältnissen. Der Unterhalt umfasst den gesamten Lebensbedarf.
— BGB § 1578 — German Civil Code
Statutory TextZum Lebensbedarf gehören auch die Kosten einer angemessenen Versicherung für den Fall der Krankheit und der Pflegebedürftigkeit sowie die Kosten einer Schul- oder Berufsausbildung, einer Fortbildung oder einer Umschulung nach den §§ 1574, 1575.
— BGB § 1578 — German Civil Code
Statutory TextHat der geschiedene Ehegatte einen Unterhaltsanspruch nach den §§ 1570 bis 1573 oder § 1576, so gehören zum Lebensbedarf auch die Kosten einer angemessenen Versicherung für den Fall des Alters sowie der verminderten Erwerbsfähigkeit.
— BGB § 1578 — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts treat maintenance modifications as fact-sensitive decisions requiring evidence of real, lasting changes — not temporary setbacks or minor fluctuations.
Adultery alone does not bar maintenance, but particularly egregious marital misconduct — such as long-term, public infidelity undermining trust and cooperation — may justify reduction or termination under § 1579 No. 7 BGB.
What to Do
File a formal application (Antrag auf Änderung des Unterhalts) with the family court that issued the original maintenance order.
Submit updated evidence: recent income statements, medical reports, employment records, or proof of changed living costs.
Attend the hearing prepared to explain why the change is substantial, lasting, and affects the fairness of the original order.
Consider mediation first — many courts encourage out-of-court settlement to avoid lengthy proceedings.
Sources
Related Questions
Not 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.