The Dutch government indexes all maintenance (alimony) obligations every year, in line with the general development of wages in the Netherlands. In 2027, the maintenance increase has been set at 4.1 %.
Both child maintenance and partner/spousal maintenance are automatically indexed in the Netherlands by law on 1 January of each year (Article 1:402a of the Dutch Civil Code). This applies to maintenance set by a court order as well as maintenance agreed between ex-partners. Unless indexation has been explicitly excluded, your maintenance payment will therefore automatically increase by 4.1 % on 1 January 2027.
For example: if you currently pay € 500 per month, you will owe € 520.50 per month from 1 January 2027.
Maintenance increases from previous years
The indexation percentages for the past four years were:
- 2023: 3.4 %
- 2024: 6.2 %
- 2025: 6.5 %
- 2026: 4.6 %
Indexation is cumulative. Each year’s increase is calculated on the amount that applied in the previous year, including all earlier increases.
What if I cannot afford this maintenance increase?
Not everybody will receive an equivalent pay rise. There may therefore be valid grounds to set aside the maintenance indexation for 2027, or to have maintenance recalculated altogether. However, indexation can only be excluded by a court, or by explicit agreement with your ex-partner. We always recommend putting any such agreement in writing.
It is important to tell your ex-partner at an early stage if you are not able to pay the increase, and to discuss whether you can agree to skip indexation for this year. Your ex-partner may request that a stated inability to pay is checked by a mediator or other professional.
How much maintenance will I owe in 2027?
You can calculate the correct amount of maintenance using this tool from the Dutch maintenance collection service LBIO (in Dutch). When you fill in the year of your court order or agreement and the original amount of maintenance, it will automatically calculate the amount due as of 1 January 2027.
Back payment of maintenance
If you did not index your maintenance payments in previous years, you may have to pay the indexation retrospectively. The person receiving maintenance can claim up to five years of indexation in arrears. This can add up over time. Again, indexation applies automatically by law. It does not matter that your ex-partner never asked for it, nor does it have to have been explicitly agreed at the time of your divorce or separation.
Maintenance calculation
At Dutch Divorce Lawyer, our lawyers would be happy to review your situation and check whether you are still paying, or receiving, the correct amount of maintenance.
For any questions or more information, please contact us.
