Alimony: what does indexation mean for your financial situation?

After a divorce, agreements are often made about alimony. This may involve a contribution for the children, but sometimes also for the ex-partner. These agreements often feel “fixed”. However, they are not always so. An important but often overlooked aspect is indexation.

Why maintenance payments are adjusted annually
The cost of living increases every year. Think of groceries, energy, housing and healthcare. To prevent an agreed maintenance amount from slowly losing its value, maintenance payments are adjusted annually to reflect rising costs. We call this indexation. This ensures that the contribution remains in line with today's reality.

How does indexation work?
The government sets the indexation percentage each year. This percentage is announced in November and takes effect on 1 January of the new year. For 2026, this percentage has been set at 4.6%. This means that the maintenance amount will automatically increase by this percentage.

An example: Do you currently pay or receive €300 per month? Then, as of 1 January 2026, this will become €313.80.

Is indexation mandatory?
Yes, in principle it is. Indexation applies automatically, unless the agreement or court ruling explicitly states that indexation is excluded. Incidentally, indexation may not be excluded in the case of child maintenance. If the increase is not applied, the recipient can still claim the missed amount, even up to five years back. This can add up to a considerable amount.

What does this mean in practice?

• For the recipient: indexation ensures that the contribution keeps pace with the cost of living.
• For the payer: monthly expenses increase. If income does not increase accordingly, this can cause tension in financial planning.

In such cases, it is wise to check whether the maintenance is still appropriate for the current situation. Sometimes a recalculation is necessary. Sometimes not. But clarity prevents surprises.