Child Support

Child support in the Netherlands is the monthly contribution a parent pays towards the costs of a child who does not live with them full time. We calculate, negotiate and enforce child support for parents in the Netherlands and abroad, whether you pay or receive it. The first step is a free introductory meeting in which we review your incomes, the care arrangement and any existing decision.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

• calculating child support for a divorce agreement or parenting plan;
• requesting the court to set child support when you cannot agree;
• changing child support after a change in income, care days or living situation;
• child support for children aged 18 to 21;
• child support when one parent lives abroad;
• collecting arrears through the LBIO or a bailiff;
• defending against a claim you consider too high.

Who has to pay child support?

Every legal parent must contribute to the costs of care and upbringing of their minor child, whether married or not. From 18 to 21, parents must contribute to the costs of living and study of their child.

The obligation follows from Articles 1:392 and 1:404 of the Dutch Civil Code. For children aged 18 to 21, Article 1:395a of the Dutch Civil Code applies. Payments for these young adults go directly to the child, unless agreed otherwise. You can read Book 1 of the Civil Code on wetten.overheid.nl (in Dutch).

Child support always takes priority over partner alimony, under Article 1:400 of the Dutch Civil Code. A payer who cannot afford both must first pay for the children.

How is child support calculated in the Netherlands?

Child support is calculated with the Tremanormen, the guidelines of the Expertgroep Alimentatienormen that Dutch courts use. The calculation compares the child's needs with each parent's ability to pay.

1. Need of the child: based on the net family income while the parents lived together and the number and age of the children. Government child benefits, such as the child-related budget (kindgebonden budget), are taken into account.
2. Ability to pay: for each parent, the court calculates how much can be spent on child support, using a fixed formula based on net income.
3. Division: the costs are shared in proportion to each parent's ability to pay.
4. Care discount: the parent who pays receives a reduction (zorgkorting) for the days the child stays with them.

The guidelines are updated every year, so a calculation from an earlier year may differ. With co-parenting and comparable incomes, the result can be low or even nil. Read more in understanding child support and the guide to child and spousal support.

How do you change child support?

You can change child support by agreement with the other parent, or by asking the court under Article 1:401 of the Dutch Civil Code. A change requires new circumstances, or a decision based on incorrect information.

Typical reasons are a new job, unemployment, a new partner with children, or a change in care days. A court can make a change retroactive, which may mean back payments or repayments. Child support is also indexed by law every year on 1 January.

Do not simply stop or reduce your payments yourself. Until a new agreement or decision exists, the old amount remains enforceable. Arrears in periodic payments can generally be claimed for five years.

What if the other parent lives abroad?

Child support can also be set and collected across borders. Within the EU, Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 determines which court has jurisdiction and makes decisions enforceable in other member states.

A court in the country where the child or the paying parent habitually lives usually has jurisdiction. The applicable law generally follows the Hague Protocol of 2007, which points to the law of the child's habitual residence. Outside the EU, the Hague Child Support Convention of 2007 and older treaties may apply.

The National Maintenance Collection Agency (LBIO) acts as the Dutch central authority in these cases. It forwards requests to the authority in the other country, which then collects locally. See also children across borders.

How does the LBIO enforce child support?

If a parent does not pay, the LBIO can collect child support on the basis of a court decision. For child support for minors, this service is free of charge for the receiving parent.

The LBIO can, for example, attach the payer's wages or benefits. A bailiff is an alternative, especially for partner alimony or when you want more control over the steps. Collection requires an enforceable title, such as a court decision. An agreement only in a parenting plan is not enough, unless the court has incorporated it in its decision.

How does working with Law & More work?

1. Introductory meeting: free of charge. We discuss your family situation, incomes and care arrangement.
2. Advice and cost estimate: we make an indicative child support calculation and explain the route and costs.
3. Approach and negotiation: we try to reach agreement with the other parent or their lawyer and record it properly.
4. Procedure or completion: if needed, we file or defend a request at the district court, or start enforcement.

What does a child support lawyer cost?

We work on an hourly rate that we agree with you in advance. The rate for a lawyer is 250 to 350 euros excluding VAT, and for a partner 300 to 400 euros excluding VAT.

The introductory meeting is free of charge. A one-off advice meeting without further assistance costs 300 euros including VAT. External costs, such as the court fee (griffierecht) and bailiff's costs, are charged separately. Legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis.

Who handles your case?

Child support cases are handled by our family law lawyers Aylin Acar, Michelle Marjanovic and Jade Vaneerdewegh. You can find them on our team page. For alimony between former spouses, see partner alimony.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in the Netherlands?

Courts use the Tremanormen. First, they determine the child's need based on the family income before the separation. Next, they calculate each parent's ability to pay and divide the costs proportionally. Finally, the paying parent gets a care discount for the days the child stays with them.

Until what age do I have to pay child support?

Child support for a minor runs until the child turns 18. From 18 to 21, you must contribute to your child's living and study costs. That contribution is then paid directly to the child, unless you agree otherwise. After 21, there is in principle no longer a statutory obligation.

Do I still pay child support with co-parenting?

Possibly. With an equal division of care, the costs are still shared in proportion to each parent's ability to pay. If one parent earns considerably more, that parent may still have to pay. With comparable incomes, the outcome can be nil.

Can I change child support myself?

Only with the other parent's written agreement. Without it, you must ask the court to change the amount. If you simply pay less, you build up arrears that can be collected, for example through the LBIO. Record any agreed change in writing, signed by both parents.

What can I do if the other parent does not pay?

With a court decision, you can ask the LBIO to collect the child support. For minors, this is free of charge for you. The LBIO can attach wages or benefits. If the other parent lives abroad, the LBIO can pass the case on to the authority in that country.

Which court decides on child support if we live in different countries?

Within the EU, Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 applies. Usually the court of the country where the child or the paying parent habitually lives has jurisdiction. The applicable law is generally that of the child's habitual residence. A decision from one EU member state can be enforced in the others.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know within one working day what your options are. Use our contact form, call +31 40 369 06 80 or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.