German minimum child maintenance — with child benefit offset
In 2026 minimum maintenance is EUR 486 a month until the sixth birthday, EUR 558 until the twelfth and EUR 653 thereafter. Where the other parent looks after the child, half of the child benefit reduces the amount payable.
2026 rules — verified on September 23, 2026Free, no account
Your result
Fill in the fields, then run the calculation: the full breakdown appears here, free of charge.
Sources and assumptions
- gesetze-im-internet.de — Mindestunterhaltsverordnung (MinUhV) § 1 Nr. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « in der ersten Altersstufe (§ 1612a Absatz 1 Satz 3 Nummer 1 des Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuchs) 482 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2025 und 486 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2026 »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — MinUhV § 1 Nr. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « in der zweiten Altersstufe (§ 1612a Absatz 1 Satz 3 Nummer 2 des Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuchs) 554 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2025 und 558 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2026 »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — MinUhV § 1 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « in der dritten Altersstufe (§ 1612a Absatz 1 Satz 3 Nummer 3 des Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuchs) 649 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2025 und 653 Euro ab dem 1. Januar 2026. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BGB § 1612a Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « für die Zeit bis zur Vollendung des sechsten Lebensjahrs (erste Altersstufe) 87 Prozent »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BGB § 1612a Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « für die Zeit vom siebten bis zur Vollendung des zwölften Lebensjahrs (zweite Altersstufe) 100 Prozent »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 66 Abs. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Das Kindergeld beträgt monatlich für jedes Kind 259 Euro. »
Calculation assumptions
- The child is a minor and does not live in the paying parent's household; maintenance for adult children is not calculated.
- The percentage of minimum maintenance is an input: it depends on the paying parent's income and follows no statutory table.
- Not covered: cases where the paying parent cannot afford the minimum, and increased child benefit for a child who is not common to both parents (BGB s. 1612b(2)).
Go further
Related calculators
Neighbouring calculations: the other side of the same decision, or the step that follows.
This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.