How to Calculate Child Support and Spousal Support in Germany

This support calculator lets you determine spousal support and child support based on the "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" (2014 - 2023)), which is a guideline that regulates such payments in Germany. Not every case will be compatible with this calculator. For an accurate calculation that will take into account your individual circumstances check out our lawyer directory or please contakt bilingual English-speaking family lawyer:

How to use the calculator for support payments:

Key in information about the spouses

The income of a spouse comprises her or his net income and, if applicable, other forms of income. The amounts must be entered for each spouse. The support-relevant net income is the result of the earned income minus a fixed deduction for work-related costs, usually around 5%. The relevant net income is further reduced for the benefit of the working spouse ("Erwerbstätigenbonus"), depending on the jurisdiction. You can decide if you want to calculate spousal support. Unselect the checkbox marked "Calculate spousal support" in the calculator. Select or deselect whether the equal-ranking support in the destribution is to be taken into account. If "Calculate spousal support" is selected and the appropriate income and child support requirements allow it, a priority need for the dependent spouse may be applied in the calculation.

Key in information about the children that are entitled to child support

Enter the age of each dependent child or remove it. If the child receives an income (eg training remuneration, interest income from capital assets), the creditable portion must be entered. Additional costs (eg schooling fees, kindergarten fees, piano lessons) can also be taken into account. It is possible to indicate whether children between 18 and 21 years old are still attending a primary and secondary education. For children up to the age of 17 you have to indicate the parent, with whom the child predominantly lives or Both ( "Wechselmodell"). In the case of "Both" you have to indicate which parent receives the child benefit. "Household" indicates that the child lives in an own household.

Underlying data for support calculation
Calculation of support depending on place of jurisdiction:
Basis of Assessment corresponding to 'Düsseldorfer Tabelle':
Consider equal ranking support in the distribution:
Calculate spousal support:
Consider prior ranking demand when calculating spousal support: Not available

Entries for support calculation
1. spouse (husband): 2. spouse (wife):
Net income from employment:
Additional income:
Additional cost:
1. Child: 2. Child: 3. Child: 4. Child:
Age: Y. Y. Y. Y.
Additional demand:
Educational demand:
Private health insurance:
Income:
Home:
Child benefit receiver:
Pupil:

Results of support calculation
1. spouse (husband): 2. spouse (wife):
Support: Adjustment: Support: Adjustment:
1. Child (8 Years):
2. Child (5 Years):
Spousal support payments:
Sum of support payments:
Chargeable net amount:
Available net amount:
Discount/Surcharge 'Düsseldorfer Tabelle':

Retention corresponding to 'Düsseldorfer Tabelle', Status: 2023
Dependent: Responsible for support:
employed not employed
Minor or privileged adult child
(necessary retention):
1370 1120
Adult child or for additional demand
(appropriate retention):
1650 1650
Spouses
(appropriate marital retention):
1510 1385

More Data on support demands to 'Düsseldorfer Tabelle', Status: 2023
Minimum need for the dependent spouse: 1120
Support demand for children with their own household: 930

How to read the calculator results

In this support calculator the amount of support to be received by one spouse will be marked positive (in brackets). The same amount, to be paid out by the other spouse, will be then marked negative (in brackets). The sum of all support obligations/claims is calculated and indicated separately for each spouse.

Notes on the results of the support calculator

The following special cases can occur during the support calculation, which are displayed in red as a note to the result:


Calculation of support

Guidelines for support needs

After a separation or divorce, the less earning spouse can, in principle, demand spousal support (post-marital support or separation support). This is based on the support-relevant net income. The spouse who takes care of the minor children can claim child support. Since January 1, 2008, a new ranking of dependents with regards to the right to support has been established: minors now have priority. This applies to children who are of full age but still attending school, so-called privileged adult children. This is different when compared to adult children; both parents are always required to pay cash. For the calculation of the monthly support entitlement, the current "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" is the basis for assessment. In the event where not all claims of the dependents can be paid by the providing spouse without undersupplying his/her own income after deductions, special regulations will apply. The deductible amount is also calculated using the "Düsseldorfer Tabelle". Any other support obligations which are to be granted in addition to child support or spousal support are not taken into account in this support calculator.

Support-relevant net income

The net income of both spouses is taken into account when calculating both child and spousal support. The support-relevant net income is usually lower than the net income, due to the deduction of other payables such as taxes, health and unemployment insurance, etc. For this support calculator, a lump sum of 5% is deducted from the income tax. Has the taxpayer income from capital assets or from non-employment, this share is added to the deductible income as additional income without deduction. For the exact calculation, while also taking into consideration special cases such as deficiency ("Mangelfall"), it would be wise to discuss the facts of your individual case with a lawyer.

Discount and surcharge for persons subject to support

The "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" suggests that amounts are calculated in such a way that the one under obligation to pay alimony has two dependents. If the number of dependents for whom a spouse has to pay child support or spousal support is greater than two then a supplement will apply and in the other case of the number of dependents being less than two, a discount will apply. Whether a discount or supplement is granted, child support is calculated from a higher or lower income level from the "Düsselforfer Tabelle".


Calculation of child support

Calculation of support for a minor child

Minors are classified as children under the age of 18. The child depends on the mother or father for basic needs such as food etc. The parent (mother or father) which is responsible for his or her support by means of care and education is generally not required to pay cash. The basis for the calculation of child support for minors depends on the support-relevant net income of the non-child bearing, non-supervising parent and also the age of the child. Taking the discounts or surcharges into account, the child support is calculated from the current "Düsseldorfer Tabelle". In this case, the state child benefit is paid to the supervising parent and, if applicable, an income earned by a child is split between both parents in the calculation. A supplementary supplement is to be paid pro-rata by both parents according to their ability to pay the support for minors. If the child is not co-insured in a statutory health insurance, then additional health and long-term care insurance premiums may be payable by the main provider. These additional payments are not taken into account in the calculation of this support.

Calculation of support for an adult child

Adult children are classified as 18 years or over. Whereas children under the age of 21 who are still attending a general school (for example, gymnasium) are classified as privileged adult children and are equal to minor children. In this support calculator only adult children who are not married and do not have their own household are taken into account. In the case of adult children, both parents are always required to pay cash. The support amount for the adult child is based on the eligible total net income of the parents, which is used as the reference value for the income level in the "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" while excluding discounts or surcharges. A supplementary requirement increases the need for support. If the adult child is not covered by statutory health insurance, additional supplementary health and long-term care insurance contributions are added. The provision of food, whether it is from the mother or father is not important or relevant in the calculation of the child support. The state child benefit and, if necessary, an income of the child will be included in full in the calculation. If both parents are capable to pay, the remaining child support is distributed to both parents in proportion to the net income that is relevant to support. If only one parent is capable to pay by these calculations, the parent’s support-relevant net income is used as the reference value for the calculation of the child support, while also taking into account any relevant deductions or surcharges from the “Düsseldorf Tabelle”. If the appropriate retention are taken from the deductible net income of the dependent parent after subtraction of all cash support obligations, the child support for non-privileged minor children will be correspondingly reduced in the support calculator.

Support calculation for the alternating model ("Wechselmodell")

The alternating model ("Wechselmodell") can only be implemented for minor children. If no focus of the actual care of an minor child can be determined, i.e. both parents take care in almost equal parts, a alternating model ("Wechselmodell") exists. Under the alternating model ("Wechselmodell"), the liability shares for child support are calculated for both parents according to their ability to pay, as in the case of support calculation for adult children. The necessary deductible for minors or privileged adult children is taken into account. One parent receives the child benefit. From the difference between the support obligations and taking into account who receives the child benefit ("mother" or "father"), a compensation payment is calculated, which one parent has to pay to the other parent.

Consideration of equal-ranking support in distribution

In this support calculator it can be set whether or not equal-ranking child obligations should also be deducted from the net income of the spouse liable for support before the distribution of common support obligations. However, this option is only available if there are support obligations for at least one minor or privileged adult child. The Higher Regional Courts may have different views on this. Whether or not equal-ranking child support is deducted before distribution may lead to different results in the calculation of support. In the case of activation, child support is calculated for non-privileged adult children by deducting from the maintenance-relevant income, in addition to the appropriate deductible and the support obligations towards the privileged children, the support requirements of the other equal-ranking non-privileged adult children.

Deficiency case in the support calculation

An absolute deficiency case occurs when the income of the dependent is incapable of meeting the necessary personal needs and the support entitlements of the minor and privileged children. The amount of necessary (deductibles) are provided by the "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" for each non-employed or employed person. In the event of a deficiency, this support calculator distributes the available distribution mass to the dependents in relation to the amount of their support entitlements. In the event of a deficiency case, further special regulations apply, which are not covered in detail in the support calculator.


Calculation of spousal support

Separation support and post marital support

In the case of spousal support, a distinction is made between separation support and post-marital support. The subsequent support takes effect after the legally binding divorce and can be limited in time, whereas the support provided throughout the separation period may be indefinite. As a rule, support payments do not differ between both these periods of separation and post-marital. The basis for the calculation of the spousal support is the support-relevant net income of both the dependent and independent parties. In this support calculator support claims of a subordinated divorced spouse or parents are not taken into account.

Employee bonus for the calculation of spousal support

In this support calculator, it is assumed that the disposable income is obtained from full employment but also other income is applicable too for e.g. housing benefit, interest income from capital assets and income from non-employment. The principle of separation is fundamental to the calculation of spousal support. The principle by law states that each spouse is entitled to half of the combined overall support-relevant net income. However, in the calculation of the spousal support, an employee’s bonus is taken into account for each spouse, which is intended as an incentive to gain full employment. If a spouse also provides child support for a dependent child, the support-relevant net income is adjusted before the employment bonus is considered in the calculation for the child support. In Southern Germany and in the district of Saarbrücken, the employment bonus is 1/10, but in all other OLG districts it is 1/7. The employment bonus of 1/7 combined with the principle of division leads to the 3/7 regulation: the spouse’s pension is 3/7 of the difference from the remaining income. The differences in calculation methods are due to a historical significance and do not affect the end result which is identical for both methods.

Calculate consideration of priority needs for spousal support

Whether the priority need for spousal support is taken into account, the courts judge differently depending on the given circumstances. In this support calculator, the priority need for spousal support can be applied to the adult children in the spousal support calculation. However, this option is available only if the following conditions are met:

  • There is a support demand of at least one adult child
  • There is a claim for spousal support
  • The sum of the calculated spousal support and the support-relevant net income of the spouse entitled to support is below the appropriate Retention ("Selbstbehalt")
  • The entitlement to spousal support does not only arise by covering the minimum need level of the spouse entitled to support
If the priority need for spousal support is taken into account, the maintenance claim to be paid is limited by the fact that the sum of the calculated spousal support and the support-relevant net income of the spouse entitled to support does not exceed the appropriate Retention ("Selbstbehalt").


Retention ("Selbstbehalt") in calculating support

Retention ("Selbstbehalt") in calculating child support

A minor child (under 18 years old) or a privileged adult child (above 18 years old, still attending school, still living with parents) has priority over a non-privileged adult child and the dependent spouse. When a minor or a privileged adult child is in need of support, the retention amount depends on whether the person responsible for paying the support is employed. The support payment to a non-privileged adult child takes lower priority than that of the spouse. This calculator first determines the support for minors, privileged adult children, and the spouse, before determining the support for non-privileged adult children. The non-privileged adult child support is determined by calculating the difference between the relevant net income and the above payments. If the payments to the minor, privileged and spousal parties end up being insufficient, the child support for the non-privileged adult child will be reduced.

Retention ("Selbstbehalt") in calculating spousal support

If the providing spouse ends up with a retention amount that is less than the dependent spouses entitlement after the child support of the minor and the privileged adult children is considered in the calculation, the dependent spousal support is reduced. In the situation where the remaining income of the dependent spouse is less than that of the providing spouse, there is no entitlement.


Nodes and restrictions on calculation of support payments:

The German family law basis for support calculations

Civil Code (BGB)

This support calculator takes into account the provisions of the German Civil Code (BGB), the relevant provisions then apply to the individual’s calculation of child support or spousal support.

§ 1603 Capacity::
Support obligations, taking into account a necessary or appropriate retention ("Selbstbehalt").

§ 1606 Sentences of several responsive for support::
Parents obligations to care for their minor children.

§ 1609 Ranking of several dependents::
Ranking of the support payments to the dependents in the event of a deficiency in the support of the retention.

§ 1612b Coverage of needs by child benefit::
Consideration of child benefit for a minor, privileged adult or adult child.

Guidelines for the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht, OLG):

In addition to the statutory requirements, guidelines are issued on the most uniform jurisprudence within one or several OLG districts. The competent higher regional court (Oberlandesgericht, OLG) depends on the general place of residence of the dependent. In southern Germany, the family law of the "Familiensenate" (SüdL) is valid. In this support calculator these support guidelines will be implemented to the extent that they contain specifications for the calculation of child support and spousal support.

Higher regional court (Oberlandesgericht, OLG) with South German Guidelines (SüdL):

  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht Bamberg
  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht Karlsruhe
  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht München
  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht Nürnberg
  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart
  • OLG-District: Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart

Maintaining legal guidelines of the other higher regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte, OLG):

“Düsseldorfer Tabelle”

In this support calculator, the currently selected "Düsseldorfer Tabelle" represents the basis for the support calculation. This is based on the existence of two dependents as a basis. In a case concerning a different number of dependents, this will be taken into account and discounts or surcharges will be made during the calculation.

Special features of the maintenance calculation based on the Düsseldorfer Table from 2022 onwards

The Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2022 was published on December 12, 2021. A significant change is that the assessment basis for child support and spousal support has been adjusted for higher incomes. Until 2021, 10 income groups were established with a maximum support-relevant net income of €5500 as of 2018. A higher income of the dependent did not further increase child maintenance or spousal maintenance. With the publication of the Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2022, 15 income groups with a maximum support-relevant net income of €11000 will be set in the future. The effects are incorporated in the support calculator 2023 when selecting the year 2022 and for all subsequent years.

Special features of the “Düsseldorfer Tabelle” 2015 and 2019

During the year 2015 and 2019, the “Düsseldorfer Tabelle” was updated once again on 2015/08/01 and in 2019 on 2019/09/01. Only the last updated tables are used when selecting the year 2019 or 2015. Due to explicit legal regulations, the child support amounts from 2014 are to be used as the basis for calculating the payment amount for 2015. This special feature is taken into account when calculating child support in this child support calculator. This table is only considered when the year 2015 support

Guidelines by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH)

Some specific cases regarding child and spousal support are decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) and are therefore legally binding. These requirements are not considered in this support calculator. They refer to specific circumstances of living conditions, in particular some deficiency or degradation of a living condition.