How is child maintenance calculated, and what happens if the father doesn't pay?

Who pays: The parent the child lives with provides the care. The other parent pays maintenance in money (Kindesunterhalt). This applies to both parents equally.

How it is calculated: Courts use the Düsseldorf Table (Düsseldorfer Tabelle). The amount depends on the paying parent's net income and the child's age. In 2026, in the lowest income group (net income up to 2,100 euros), the minimum maintenance is 486 euros for ages 0-5, 558 euros for ages 6-11 and 653 euros for ages 12-17. Half of the child benefit (Kindergeld) is deducted, so the amount paid is, for example, 356.50 euros for ages 0-5.

Official document: The youth welfare office (Jugendamt) helps you calculate the amount for free and draw up an enforceable document (Unterhaltstitel / Jugendamtsurkunde). With this document, unpaid maintenance can be enforced.

If it isn't paid (Unterhaltsvorschuss): If the other parent pays nothing or not enough, you can get an advance from the Jugendamt. In 2026 the amounts are 227 euros a month for ages 0-5, 299 euros for ages 6-11 and 394 euros for ages 12-17. Additional conditions apply for children over 12. The Jugendamt later claims the money back from the other parent. Changes to this benefit are planned, so check the current rules on the Familienportal.

If the father lives abroad: You can still claim maintenance if the paying parent lives in Turkey or another country; the Jugendamt and the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz) help with international maintenance claims.