GermanyWhat’s the difference between separation maintenance under BGB § 1361 and post-divorce maintenance under BGB § 1569 in German family law?
Separation maintenance (BGB § 1361) starts when spouses live apart and continues until divorce is final; post-divorce maintenance (BGB § 1569) is limited, conditional, and based on self-sufficiency — not automatic.
What the Law Says
German law treats financial support during separation and after divorce as two distinct legal concepts — with different purposes, requirements, and durations.
Separation maintenance (Unterhalt bei Getrenntleben) arises automatically under BGB § 1361 when spouses live apart — even before filing for divorce. It’s designed to preserve the marital standard of living temporarily while the marriage is legally intact but factually ended.
Post-divorce maintenance (nachehelicher Unterhalt), governed by BGB § 1569, rests on a fundamental principle: each spouse must become economically self-reliant after divorce. Maintenance is not a right — it’s an exception, granted only if strict statutory conditions are met (e.g., care of young children, illness, or age-related inability to work).
BGB § 1361(1) also adds that once divorce proceedings begin (Rechtshängigkeit), maintenance includes costs for old-age and disability insurance — a feature absent after divorce. Meanwhile, BGB § 1569 makes clear that post-divorce support is strictly limited and never presumed.
Statutory TextLeben die Ehegatten getrennt, so kann ein Ehegatte von dem anderen den nach den Lebensverhältnissen und den Erwerbs- und Vermögensverhältnissen der Ehegatten angemessenen Unterhalt verlangen...
— BGB § 1361 — Maintenance during separation
Statutory TextNach der Scheidung obliegt es jedem Ehegatten, selbst für seinen Unterhalt zu sorgen. Ist er dazu außerstande, hat er gegen den anderen Ehegatten einen Anspruch auf Unterhalt nur nach den folgenden Vorschriften.
— BGB § 1569 — Principle of self-sufficiency after divorce
What Courts Have Said
Courts emphasize that post-divorce maintenance is exceptional and time-limited — especially where economic independence is realistically achievable.
Spousal maintenance after divorce may be limited in duration when the recipient has had sufficient opportunity — considering age, health, and qualifications — to achieve economic independence. The court rejected indefinite support where reintegration into employment was reasonably possible.
What to Do
Confirm whether you’re legally separated (actual cohabitation ended) — this triggers BGB § 1361 rights.
If divorce is filed, document all income, assets, caregiving responsibilities, and efforts toward employment or training.
Seek legal advice before agreeing to any maintenance arrangement — separation payments can affect post-divorce claims.
For post-divorce claims, gather evidence showing why self-sufficiency isn’t feasible (e.g., medical reports, childcare schedules, job search records).
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.