Parents owe child maintenance for students, which means support for an appropriate first education. For an adult child who does not live with a parent, the Düsseldorf Table 2026 sets a basic requirement of €990 per month, unchanged from 2025. The child benefit (Kindergeld) of €259 per month is offset against this requirement. The parents cover the rest according to their income, and the claim generally ends with the first qualifying degree, not at a fixed age.
The most important facts at a glance
| Key fact | Value 2026 | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic requirement for students living away from home | €990 per month | Düsseldorf Table, valid from 1 January 2026 |
| Child benefit per child | €259 per month | Official, § 66 EStG, status 20 October 2026 |
| Offsetting of child benefit for an adult child | In full against the requirement | § 1612b para. 1 no. 2 BGB |
| End of the claim | First qualifying degree | § 1610 para. 2 BGB, no fixed age limit |
How much child maintenance for students is due?
The Düsseldorf Table (Düsseldorfer Tabelle) is not a law but a guideline of the higher regional courts, which courts and parents use as a benchmark. It divides parental income into groups and the child’s age into age brackets. For adult children, the requirement rates for 2026 rise according to press reports, while the rate for students living away from home stays at €990. If the child still lives with a parent, a different requirement applies, which is listed separately in the table. Which age bracket and income group apply is checked against the official table.
How does child benefit affect the claim?
For a minor child, child benefit is offset differently depending on care. For an adult child who is not in the parents’ care, child benefit is offset in full against the cash requirement under § 1612b para. 1 no. 2 BGB. The child benefit is therefore deducted from the requirement before the parents calculate their share. It makes no difference to the offsetting whether the child receives the money itself or the parents do.
Worked example: what remains of €990?
- Requirement for children studying away from home: €990 per month.
- Deduction of child benefit in full: €990 minus €259 equals €731 per month.
- The child’s own income: a side job reduces the claim after deduction of allowances. At an income of €400 per month, the remainder can be reduced accordingly.
- Distribution between the parents: each parent pays according to their share of the combined income of both parents, and the parents’ own minimum needs remain protected.
How long must maintenance be paid?
The obligation to pay education maintenance ends with the first qualifying degree, provided the studies progress at a reasonable pace. There is no fixed age limit, even if the child is over 25 or 27. A change of course, a delay due to illness or a dropout can affect the claim. The yardstick is whether the education is reasonable and appropriate for the child. The standard period of study is a guideline, not a rigid limit.
Parents must disclose their income. The child can demand this information in order to quantify the claim, and this is the usual first step before a lawsuit.
What do you do if maintenance is not paid?
- Ask the parents in writing to disclose their income, and set a deadline.
- Submit the request for payment of maintenance with the evidence of your education.
- Check BAföG in parallel, because the authority takes the maintenance question into account in the application. Our article on BAföG independent of parental income explains the requirements (in German).
- Get advice before filing a lawsuit, because the family court decides on amount and duration in each individual case.
Frequently asked questions
How much child maintenance for students is due in 2026?
For students living away from home, the Düsseldorf Table 2026 sets a basic requirement of €990 per month. The child benefit is deducted from this, and the remainder is shared between the parents.
Is child benefit deducted from the maintenance?
Yes, for an adult child who is not in the parents’ care, in full under § 1612b BGB.
How long do I have to be paid maintenance?
Until the first qualifying degree, provided the studies are reasonable. There is no fixed age limit.
What do I do if maintenance is not paid?
Request information and payment in writing, check BAföG and get advice before filing a lawsuit.
You can check how child benefit is offset with the child benefit check. More information for parents is in our checklist for parents (in German).
Sources and review
- Düsseldorf Table, status 1 January 2026, Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf.
- § 1601, § 1605, § 1610 para. 2 and § 1612b BGB, gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026.
- § 66 EStG (child benefit amount 2026), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026.
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
You can classify your case with the Academycon online check.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
