Germany Plans Reform of Child Maintenance Payments, Potentially Cutting Support

Germany's Federal Minister for Family Affairs is proposing significant reforms to the country's maintenance advance payment law, a move that could lead to reduced financial support for numerous families.

The current system provides state payments to children when one parent fails to meet their child support obligations. However, federal and state spending on these advances has surged, reaching €3.2 billion in 2025. Of this amount, less than €600 million was recovered from the non-paying parents, prompting calls for reform, particularly from the federal states which bear 60% of the costs.

Federal Minister Karin Prien (CDU) aims to save the federal government €245 million annually by lowering the age limit for children eligible to receive maintenance advance payments from 18 to 16. A draft of the proposed legislation is slated for cabinet review in July, with the goal of implementing the changes by early 2027.

This reform could affect a substantial number of children and adolescents. Currently, there is no income limit for receiving these payments, making them accessible to a broad range of single-parent households. The proposed changes are part of a larger effort to curb rising state expenditures in this area, although they are expected to face debate and potential criticism.