After a separation in Germany, one of the first questions is: how much child support (Unterhalt) do I owe — or am I entitled to? The answer comes from the Düsseldorfer Tabelle, Germany's standard guideline for calculating child maintenance. This article explains the table, walks through the calculation step by step, and covers Kindergeld deductions and the Selbstbehalt self-maintenance threshold.
Jump straight to the tool: Child Support Calculator 2025 — Düsseldorfer Tabelle
What is the Düsseldorfer Tabelle?
The Düsseldorfer Tabelle is a guideline for child maintenance in Germany, drawn up by the higher regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte). It is updated regularly — most recently on 1 January 2025. The table sets benchmark amounts based on the paying parent's income and the child's age.
The table is not a statutory regulation, but an established court guideline applied in virtually all maintenance cases.
Who pays child support?
The parent with whom the child does not primarily live (the "barunterhaltspflichtig" parent) pays cash maintenance. The resident parent fulfils their maintenance obligation through day-to-day care.
The 10 Income Brackets (Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2025)
The table divides the payer's adjusted net income into 10 brackets. Adjusted net income means gross income minus taxes and social contributions, further reduced by work-related expenses, other maintenance obligations, and certain liabilities.
| Bracket | Net Income (€/month) | 0–5 yrs | 6–11 yrs | 12–17 yrs | 18+ yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to 2,100 | 480 | 551 | 645 | 693 |
| 2 | 2,101–2,500 | 504 | 578 | 677 | 728 |
| 3 | 2,501–2,900 | 529 | 607 | 711 | 764 |
| 4 | 2,901–3,300 | 554 | 636 | 745 | 800 |
| 5 | 3,301–3,700 | 580 | 665 | 779 | 836 |
| 6 | 3,701–4,100 | 607 | 697 | 816 | 876 |
| 7 | 4,101–4,500 | 634 | 729 | 853 | 916 |
| 8 | 4,501–5,100 | 667 | 766 | 897 | 963 |
| 9 | 5,101–5,500 | 700 | 804 | 942 | 1,012 |
| 10 | over 5,500 | 735 | 844 | 989 | 1,063 |
All amounts in euros per month. Source: Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2025 (OLG Düsseldorf).
The Four Age Groups
The child's age determines which column to use:
- 0 to 5 years: Lowest bracket — young children have lower costs
- 6 to 11 years: Mid bracket — school-age expenses increase
- 12 to 17 years: Higher bracket — leisure, school costs, mobility
- 18 years and over: Highest rate — adult children in education or training
Kindergeld Deduction
The German child benefit (Kindergeld) reduces the maintenance obligation. Since January 2025, Kindergeld is €255 per child per month.
How it is deducted depends on the child's age:
- Minors (under 18): Half the Kindergeld (€127.50) is deducted from the table amount, since Kindergeld goes to the resident parent.
- Adult children (18+): The full Kindergeld (€255) is deducted, since it belongs to the child directly.
Worked example: child aged 8, bracket 4
Table amount: €636
Deduct half Kindergeld: − €127.50
Support payable: €508.50 / month
Selbstbehalt: The Self-Maintenance Threshold
The Selbstbehalt protects the paying parent: it is the minimum net income that must remain after child support is paid. If support payments would leave the payer below this threshold, the case becomes a Mangelfall (hardship case) and the support may be reduced.
Selbstbehalt thresholds 2025:
- Employed, paying for minor children: €1,450 / month
- Not employed, paying for minor children: €1,200 / month
- Paying for privileged adult children: €1,750 / month
In a Mangelfall, the available amount is distributed proportionally among all children and will be below the table figures.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Determine adjusted net income — net pay minus work-related costs (flat rate: 5 %, min. €50, max. €150 / month)
- Find the income bracket — which of the 10 steps does the income fall into?
- Read the table amount — use the child's age group column
- Deduct Kindergeld — half for minors, full amount for adults
- Check Selbstbehalt — is enough income left? If not: Mangelfall applies
Worked Examples
Example 1: One child aged 10, net income €3,000
- Income bracket 4 (€2,901–3,300)
- Table amount (6–11 years): €636
- Deduct half Kindergeld: − €127.50
- Support: €508.50 / month
- Remaining income: €3,000 − €508.50 = €2,491.50 > Selbstbehalt ✓
Example 2: Two children aged 6 and 14, net income €2,400
- Income bracket 2 (€2,101–2,500)
- Child 1 (age 6): €578 − €127.50 = €450.50
- Child 2 (age 14): €677 − €127.50 = €549.50
- Total support: €1,000 / month
- Remaining income: €2,400 − €1,000 = €1,400 < Selbstbehalt (€1,450) → Mangelfall
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my new partner's income taken into account?
No. A new partner's income is not directly counted. It can indirectly matter if shared household costs reduce the payer's own expenses, but courts do not automatically attribute the partner's earnings.
Do I have to pay if my income is very low?
Yes — parents have a heightened obligation towards minor children and must use all reasonable earning capacity. If payment is genuinely impossible, the Mangelfall rules reduce but do not eliminate the obligation.
Can child support be deducted from taxes?
Payments to minor children are generally not tax-deductible while Kindergeld is being received. Use our income tax calculator to see your overall tax burden.
How often is the Düsseldorfer Tabelle updated?
Typically every two years on 1 January. The most recent update was 1 January 2025.
Related Calculators
- Child Support Calculator — Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2025
- Income Tax Calculator — calculate your tax burden
- Salary Calculator — gross to net conversion
- Parental Allowance Calculator — Elterngeld
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For individual maintenance calculations — especially in complex income situations or disputes — consult a qualified family law attorney.