What Is the Düsseldorf Table?
The Düsseldorf Table (Düsseldorfer Tabelle) is the most important guideline for determining child support obligations in Germany. It is published by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf in collaboration with the other higher regional courts and the German Association of Family Law Judges. Although it is technically a guideline rather than formal legislation, it is applied uniformly by family courts across all sixteen federal states.
The table is updated periodically, most recently for the year 2026. It reflects changes in the cost of living, adjustments to the tax and social security system, and updated subsistence minimum calculations published by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Structure: 15 Income Groups
The 2026 edition of the table divides obligors into 15 income groups based on their adjusted net income. Group 1 covers incomes up to 2,100 euros per month and corresponds to the statutory minimum support (Mindestunterhalt). Each subsequent group covers an income range of approximately 400 to 600 euros, up to group 15 which applies to incomes between 10,401 and 11,200 euros. For incomes exceeding 11,200 euros, the table does not apply directly, and support is determined on a case-by-case basis by the court.
The grouping assumes two dependants. If the obligor has fewer than two dependants, they are typically classified one group higher. With three or more dependants, the classification shifts one or more groups lower. This adjustment ensures that the total burden remains manageable relative to the obligor's income.
Structure: 4 Age Groups
Children are classified into four age groups: 0 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, 12 to 17 years, and 18 years and older. The rationale for these groupings is that older children have higher basic needs due to education, clothing, social participation, and increased food costs.
The needs rate increases with each age group. For instance, in income group 1, the 2026 needs rate is 480 euros for children aged 0 to 5, 551 euros for ages 6 to 11, 645 euros for ages 12 to 17, and 689 euros for adult children. After deducting the child benefit offset, the actual payment amounts are correspondingly lower.
Needs Rates vs. Payment Amounts
A critical distinction that many parents overlook is the difference between the needs rate (Bedarfssatz) and the payment amount (Zahlbetrag). The needs rate is the total amount the child requires for a basic standard of living at the given income level. The payment amount is what the obligor actually transfers, after the child benefit offset has been applied.
For minor children, half of the child benefit (125 euros in 2026) is deducted from the needs rate. For adult children, the full child benefit (250 euros) is deducted. This offset reflects the fact that the government already contributes to the child's upkeep through the child benefit system.
For example, if the needs rate for a 9-year-old child in income group 3 is 580 euros, the payment amount after deducting half the child benefit is 455 euros. It is this lower figure that the obligor must transfer each month.
Group Adjustments for Multiple Dependants
The standard table assumes two support dependants. The adjustment rule works as follows: with only one dependant, the obligor may be placed one group higher, resulting in a higher payment. With three dependants, the obligor is placed one group lower. With four or more dependants, a two-group or even three-group downward shift may apply.
These adjustments are not automatic and may be overridden by the court if circumstances warrant it. For instance, if the obligor has very high housing costs or significant other obligations, the court may decline to shift the group upward even with only one dependant.
How to Read the Table
To determine the correct support amount, follow these steps. First, calculate the obligor's adjusted net income. Second, identify the correct income group. Third, determine the child's age group. Fourth, look up the needs rate at the intersection of the income group row and the age group column. Fifth, subtract the applicable child benefit offset (125 euros for minors, 250 euros for adults). The result is the monthly payment amount.
If there are multiple children, repeat the lookup for each child individually, since children of different ages may fall into different columns. Sum the individual payment amounts to arrive at the total child support obligation.
Changes in the 2026 Update
The 2026 update brought several notable changes. The minimum needs rates in group 1 were increased by approximately 4 to 6 percent across all age groups, reflecting the rising cost of living. Self-retention amounts were also raised: the necessary self-retention for employed obligors went from 1,370 to 1,450 euros, and the appropriate self-retention for non-employed obligors increased from 1,120 to 1,200 euros.
These increases mean that some obligors who were previously able to pay full support may now find themselves in a shortfall case, while others may owe slightly more than before. It is therefore essential to recalculate obligations whenever the table is updated.