Düsseldorf Table (child support)

The Düsseldorfer Tabelle (Düsseldorf table) is the most important guideline for calculating child maintenance in Germany – published by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court and applied by all family courts.

Minimum maintenance 2025 (after deducting half the child benefit):

• 0–5 years: €480/month (amount payable: €355 after child benefit deduction)
• 6–11 years: €551/month (amount payable: €426)
• 12–17 years: €645/month (amount payable: €520)
• From 18: €689/month (full child benefit is offset)

Income brackets:

The table has 15 income brackets (net income of the person liable to pay):

• Bracket 1: up to €2,100 net → 100% of the minimum maintenance
• Bracket 2: €2,101–2,500 → 105%
• Bracket 5: €3,301–3,700 → 120%
• Bracket 10: €5,501–6,200 → 160%
• Bracket 15: from €11,001 → 200% of the minimum maintenance

Personal allowance (what the payer may keep at least):

• Employed persons towards children: €1,450/month
• Non-employed persons: €1,200/month
• Towards a spouse: €1,600 (employed)

Important to know:

• The table is not a law, but all courts follow it
• Special needs (glasses, class trip, tutoring) come ON TOP
• Child benefit (€259) is offset against maintenance by half
• For very high incomes (€11,000), maintenance must be calculated individually