Moderate Increase in Child Support
On January 1, 2025, the Düsseldorf Table 2025 will come into effect. While the maintenance entitlements for minor children have only slightly increased, there has been a significant rise for university students living away from their parents. Their needs-based rate will increase from €930 to €990 per month in 2025.
The Düsseldorf Table has been issued by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf since 1979. Although it does not carry the force of law, it serves as an important guideline for calculating maintenance entitlements and is widely used by higher regional courts. Key parameters include the child’s age and the parents’ income, according to the law firm MTR Legal Rechtsanwälte, which provides legal advice in areas including family law.
Slight Increase in Basic Needs Rates for Children
The Düsseldorf Table 2025 moderately raises the basic needs rates for minor and adult children. However, the self-support amounts and needs-control amounts remain unchanged.
According to the updated Düsseldorf Table 2025, the minimum maintenance for minor children in the three age brackets has increased by between €2 and €4. For parents in the first income group, earning up to €2,100 net monthly income, the minimum maintenance amounts are:
- Age Group 1 (up to 6 years): €482
- Age Group 2 (up to 12 years): €554
- Age Group 3 (up to 18 years): €649
The increase in maintenance entitlements for the first income group also leads to an increase in rates for other income groups. The minimum maintenance entitlement has been raised by 5% up to the fifth income group and by 8% in higher income groups, with amounts rounded to full euros.
No Changes in the 15 Income Groups
The classification into 15 income groups remains unchanged. In the 15th income group, with a monthly net income of €9,701 to €11,200, the minimum maintenance entitlements are:
- Age Group 1 (up to 6 years): €964
- Age Group 2 (up to 12 years): €1,108
- Age Group 3 (up to 18 years): €1,298
The basic needs rate for adult children living with one or both parents was also slightly increased as of January 1, 2025. In the first income group, it amounts to 125% of the minimum requirement for the second age group. This means an entitlement of €693 per month, an increase of €4. In higher income groups, the entitlement increases by 5–8% relative to the first income group.
Significant Increase in Support for University Students
For university students not living with their parents, the needs-based rate has seen the most significant increase, rising from €930 to €990 per month. This amount includes housing costs of €440 for rent.
The necessary self-support amounts for maintenance-paying parents remain unchanged. The self-support amount is €1,200 per month for non-working parents and €1,450 for employed parents. The reasonable self-support amount is €1,750 per month.
The Düsseldorf Table is not legally binding but serves as a guideline. It specifies the monthly maintenance requirements for children based on two dependents. However, the need amount and payment amount may differ, as they depend on other factors such as the actual number of dependents or ensuring the minimum needs of all parties involved are met.
Child Allowance is Deducted
Child allowance is also deducted from the maintenance needs. For minor children, half of the child allowance is typically deducted, while for adult children, the entire allowance is considered. This means the actual payment amounts for parents are reduced accordingly. In 2024, the child allowance per child is €250 per month. As it is still unclear whether and to what extent child allowance will increase in 2025, changes may occur here.
Despite the Düsseldorf Table, maintenance claims can still lead to disputes. MTR Legal Rechtsanwälte advises on maintenance claims and other aspects of family law.
Feel free to contact us!
