The Dutch government indexes all maintenance / alimony obligations in line with inflation every year. In 2026, the maintenance increase will be 4.6 %.
Both child maintenance and partner/ spousal maintenance are automatically indexed in The Netherlands by law in January of each year. This applies to both court orders and mutual agreements regarding maintenance. Unless you agree otherwise (in writing), your maintenance payment will therefore automatically increase by 4.6 % on the 1st of January 2026.
Maintenance increases from previous years
The indexation percentages for past four years were:
- 2022: 1.9 %
- 2023: 3.4 %
- 2024: 6.2 %
- 2025: 6.5 %
What if I cannot afford this maintenance increase?
Not everybody will receive an equivalent pay raise. There may therefore be valid grounds to disregard the maintenance indexation for 2026 or recalculate maintenance altogether. However, only a court can waive the indexation, unless your ex-partner agrees to this in writing.
It is important to warn your ex-partner at an early stage if you are not able to increase your maintenance payment and discuss whether you can agree to skip indexation for this year. For the person receiving maintenance, it is important to understand why you cannot be expected to pay this raise.
How much maintenance will I owe in 2026?
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 divorce/ separation and the original amount of maintenance award, it will automatically calculate the amount due as of the 1st of January, 2026.
Back payment of maintenance
If you did not index your maintenance payments in previous years, you may be obliged to pay the indexation retrospectively. The receiving party is entitled to reclaim up to five years of indexation in arrears. This can add up over time. Again, indexation is applied automatically by law. It does not matter that your ex-partner did not ask for it. Nor does it have to have been explicitly agreed at the time of divorce or separation.
Maintenance calculation
At Dutch Divorce Lawyer, we would be happy to review your situation for you and check whether you are still paying the correct amount of maintenance.
For any questions or more information please contact us.
