Maintenance indexation in The Netherlands for 2027
The Dutch government has announced that maintenance obligations will be indexed by 4.1 % from 1 January 2027. This percentage applies to both child maintenance and partner/ spousal maintenance. Indexation applies both to amounts set by a court and to maintenance that the parties have agreed between themselves. The annual indexation applies automatically from 1 January 2027.
Indexation in previous years
The Dutch government sets the indexation percentage every year, based on the average development of wages in the Netherlands. The percentages for the past few years were:
- 2023: 3.4 %
- 2024: 6.2 %
- 2025: 6.5 %
- 2026: 4.6 %
What if you cannot afford the increase?
This year's increase is again lower than last year's, but at 4.1 % it is still a noticeable rise. The increases of recent years also build on each other. If you pay maintenance, your income may not have gone up, or it may even have gone down. In that case, there may be grounds not to apply the indexation. To do so, you will need to make a further agreement with your ex-partner or your young adult children (under 21). If that is not possible, you will need to ask the court to exclude the indexation or to reduce the maintenance.
Make sure you do index!
Was the maintenance payment not indexed in previous years? Then the missed indexation may still be claimed, up to five years back.
How can Bowmer & Nuiten help you?
If you are unsure, or if your income has gone down recently, let us recalculate your maintenance obligation. We would be happy to advise you on your options. If you would like to review the maintenance together with your ex-partner or the other parent, we can also mediate by preparing a neutral maintenance calculation.
For questions or more information about maintenance, please contact Emma Davidson or Rajshree Meghoe.
