How is alimony calculated in the Netherlands?

Alimony in the Netherlands is calculated based on two things: what the recipient needs and what the payer can afford. Judges use official calculation rules from the Alimony Standards Expert Group for this purpose. The amount depends on your income, your fixed costs and the distribution of care for the children.

Last checked: March 2026. Legal information may change — always check the current legislation onwetten.nl.

What does the law say?

In the Netherlands, alimony is regulated in Book 1 of the Civil Code. The law says that parents are obliged to support their children, even after a divorce. That sounds simple, but the calculation behind it is quite complex.

There are two types of alimony. Child support is for the children. Spousal support is for the ex-partner who has insufficient income after the divorce to provide for his or her own subsistence.

For child support, the law refers to Article 1:404 of the Dutch Civil Code (check this article onwetten.nl for the most current version). This article establishes the maintenance obligation of parents. Article 1:157 of the Dutch Civil Code is relevant for spousal maintenance (check this article onwetten.nl for the most current version).

In practice, judges work with the so-called Trema standards. These are calculation rules that the Alimony Standards Expert Group updates every year. These standards are not laid down in law, but judges almost always use them. They ensure fairness and predictability.

With child support, the judge first looks at the needs of the child. That need depends on the income the parents had together before the divorce. Then it is determined how much each parent can contribute. That's called carrying capacity. Those who earn more, pay more. Those who care for children more in practice pay less.

Different rules apply to spousal maintenance. Here the judge looks at the needs of the ex-partner and the capacity of the paying ex. The maximum duration of spousal support is laid down by law. This is usually half the duration of the marriage, with a maximum of five years. There are exceptions, for example if there are young children or if the marriage lasted a long time.

Child support does not have a fixed end date, but ends automatically when the child turns 18 — unless the child is still studying. The obligation then continues until the age of 21.

When does this apply to you?

Alimony comes into play as soon as you divorce or separate and there are children or a financially dependent partner involved. But when exactly are you entitled to alimony, or are you obliged to pay?

You may be entitled to child support if the children live with you or spend most of the time with you. The other parent then pays a contribution. This also applies if you were not married, but have a child together.

You may be entitled to alimony if your income is insufficient after the divorce. This may be because you took care of the children and therefore worked less. Or because you haven't worked for a long time and are having difficulty finding a job.

Please note: spousal support is only available after a marriage or registered partnership. Cohabitants do not have an automatic right to alimony after separation.

A concrete example. Suppose you and your ex jointly earned 4,500 euros net per month. You had two children. After the divorce, the children mainly live with you. The judge will then first calculate what your children need based on that previous family income. The judge will then look at how much you and your ex each earn now. Based on that ratio it is determined who pays how much.

Another example. Your ex earns 3,000 euros per month. You stayed home with the children for eight years and no longer have any income. Then you can apply for spousal support. The judge will then weigh what you need to make ends meet and what your ex can do without.

The calculation is therefore always tailor-made. No two situations are the same. Nevertheless, the Trema standards provide a clear framework, so that outcomes do not deviate too much from each other.

Step-by-step plan — what can you do now?

1. Make a map of your finances. Collect your pay slips, annual statements and an overview of your fixed costs. You need this for every calculation.
2. Use a calculation tool for initial orientation. You will find a maintenance calculation tool on the Nibud website. That gives a first impression, but is no guarantee.
3. Talk to your ex about a mutual agreement. If you reach an agreement, the judge does not have to be involved. That saves time, money and tension.
4. Always record an agreement in writing. An oral agreement is difficult