Changes to the amounts of child support and child maintenance allowance in 2026

The amounts of child support and child maintenance allowance are linked to the cost-of-living index. Following an index change, both will decrease by about 0.21% at the beginning of 2026. Starting from 1 January 2026, the full child maintenance allowance will be EUR 197.71 per month per child. In 2025, the full amount is EUR 198.13 per month, so the monthly allowance will decrease by EUR 0.42. The index adjustments are applied automatically to child maintenance allowance payments.

The change in the cost-of-living index will also lead to a decrease in the amount of child support. The formula for calculating child support is the following: amount of child support in 2025 × (2338 : 2343) = amount of child support in 2026. This means that as of January, persons liable for maintenance will pay about 0.21% less in child support than they have in 2025.

Kela will not inform persons liable for maintenance of the new amount of child support, so they must themselves make sure to pay the correct amount of child support.

If Kela pays child maintenance allowance because the person liable for maintenance has neglected to pay the confirmed child support, the person liable for maintenance can check the new amount of child support in the OmaKela e-service at the latest at the beginning of January 2026. If the child maintenance allowance paid by Kela is based on child support confirmed abroad, the recipient of the child maintenance allowance must themselves inform Kela of any changes in the amount of child support.

The income limits to qualify for an exemption on payment of child support debt will be adjusted as well. Persons liable for maintenance of a child will qualify for the exemption if their monthly income does not exceed EUR 1,336.00. The income limit goes up by EUR 334.01 per month for each additional child under the age of 18. However, the income limit is not increased for children who have been granted child maintenance allowance.

Glossary

Person liable for maintenance: Parent who is required to pay child support under a maintenance agreement or court order.

Child support: the amount that the parent liable to pay maintenance for a child must pay for the maintenance of their child. The amount of child support is confirmed in a maintenance agreement or in a court order.

Child maintenance allowance: Family benefit paid by Kela to provide economic security to children who are not adequately provided for by both parents.

Differential allowance: Child maintenance allowance paid by Kela at a reduced rate if child support has been set at an amount lower than the full child maintenance allowance due to the liable parent's limited ability to pay.

Child support debt: Outstanding payments of child support which Kela will collect from the person liable for maintenance after granting child maintenance allowance. The child support debt includes interest for late payment.