Maintenance calculator

What does this calculator estimate?

The child maintenance option estimates a monthly payment from parent A to parent B. A is the parent with whom the children do not have their main residence. The result is a total for all children entered, not an amount per child. The spousal option estimates additional net needs only; it does not calculate maintenance payable. Every language version uses Dutch maintenance standards for 2026. Choosing English does not switch the calculation to British or other foreign law.

Children’s needs and an existing payment are different

Enter the appropriately assessed parental share of the children’s costs, updated to 2026 where necessary. Do not substitute the amount one parent currently pays. The Dutch judiciary’s needs table gives a combined amount for the children and already accounts for child benefit. This calculator does not assess those needs itself. Parents who never lived together or children with exceptional costs may need a separate needs assessment.

Which income should you enter?

Use each parent’s monthly net disposable income, known in Dutch as NBI. A single payslip may not show the full amount: holiday allowance, relevant tax benefits and the income-related child budget can matter. Include the kindgebonden budget once, for the parent entitled to it. Do not enter gross annual salary or add the same benefit twice. If the other parent’s finances are unknown, obtain reliable information before relying on an estimate.

Care discounts and shared parenting

The care discount reflects costs incurred while parent A looks after the children. The standards use 5%, 15%, 25% or 35%, depending on average care days per week, including holidays. Shared parenting does not automatically mean no maintenance is due. Income differences, children’s needs and cost allocation still matter. Insufficient combined payment capacity can reduce the available discount. This calculator assumes the same care schedule for all children included.

Worked example: €250 monthly for two children

Suppose each parent has €3,000 monthly net disposable income, assessed needs total €1,000 for two children and A’s care discount is 25%. Each parent’s calculated capacity is €515. A’s share of needs is €500; after a €250 discount, the estimated payment is €250 in total. With the same incomes but €1,200 needs, the shortfall is €170. The discount becomes €215 and the estimated payment €300. These are fictitious examples within the calculator’s conditions.

Spousal maintenance: needs are not the payment

Where appropriate, the Dutch hofnorm estimates needs as 60% of former net family income after children’s costs. For example, €4,000 minus €1,000 gives net needs of €1,800. With €1,200 own net income, additional needs are €600. This does not mean €600 maintenance is payable. Capacity, taxation, priority for child maintenance and individual circumstances still require assessment. This option assumes a marriage or registered partnership ended in 2026.

When do you need an individual calculation?

The child estimate covers one to four children under 18, two parents below Dutch state-pension age and appropriately assessed needs. Other dependants, exceptional expenses, unusual housing costs or social assistance received by parent B fall outside its scope. An international situation may require advice on applicable law first. The calculator cannot change a court order or determine every legal entitlement.

Prepare for a useful next step

Gather recent income records, the child-budget decision, the needs assessment, the care schedule including holidays and existing agreements. Check the inputs before drawing conclusions from a different result. Calculator amounts are processed only in your browser. A separate chat has its own data processing, so avoid unnecessary personal information there. Obtain an individual assessment before changing an agreed payment.

Frequently asked questions about Dutch maintenance