Child Support in Denmark (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Both parents have a legal duty to support their children financially:
- Standard rate (normalbidrag): The parent the child does not live with pays a standard amount set annually by the state — approx. 1,620 kr./month (2025) for children aged 0-17.
- Supplements: If the paying parent has a significantly higher income, Familieretshuset can impose supplements — 100%, 200% or 300% on top of the standard rate.
- Education support: The support obligation continues until age 24 if the child is in education.
- Collection: If the paying parent does not pay, the receiving parent can obtain an advance payment from the municipality (Udbetaling Danmark), which then collects the debt from the defaulting parent.
When does it apply?
- The parents live apart and the child lives primarily with one parent.
- You cannot agree on the child support and need Familieretshuset to set the amount.
What to do if the other parent does not pay child support
- If you can agree, make a written agreement and register it with Familieretshuset.
- If you cannot agree, apply to Familieretshuset to have the support set — the assessment is based on the paying parent's income.
- If the other parent does not pay, apply for an advance payment via your municipality — the state pays you and collects the debt.
- Report changes in your income to Familieretshuset if you believe the support should be adjusted.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't withhold contact because child support is not being paid — custody and support are legally separate matters.
- Don't hide income to reduce your support obligation — Familieretshuset cross-checks with tax data.
- Don't ignore a child-support decision — unpaid support becomes debt collected by Gældsstyrelsen (wage attachment, seizure).
About Family Law in Denmark
Most family-law cases in Denmark start at Familieretshuset (the Agency of Family Law), the central authority that since 2019 has handled divorce, custody, child support and paternity. You can be divorced administratively if you agree, or via the family court if you do not. Couples with children under 18 go through a 3-month reflection period. Forældreansvarsloven (the Parental Responsibility Act) treats joint custody as the default and applies the best interests of the child; children from age 10 have the right to be heard. Domestic violence is handled through restraining orders and the rules of the Criminal Code.
Common Questions
How much is child support in Denmark?
The standard rate (normalbidrag) for children aged 0-17 is approx. 1,620 kr. per month in 2025, set annually by the state and paid by the parent the child does not live with. If the paying parent has a significantly higher income, Familieretshuset can impose supplements of 100%, 200% or 300% on top of the standard rate.
What happens if the other parent refuses to pay child support in Denmark?
Apply for an advance payment of child support via your municipality and Udbetaling Danmark. The state pays you and then collects the debt from the defaulting parent. Unpaid support becomes enforceable debt that Gældsstyrelsen can collect through wage attachment or seizure.
Can I stop contact because the other parent does not pay support?
No. Custody, contact and child support are legally separate matters in Denmark — you cannot withhold contact because payments are not made. If your income changes, report it to Familieretshuset so the support can be adjusted. Don't hide income to reduce your obligation; Familieretshuset cross-checks with tax data. The support obligation continues until age 24 if the child is in education.
What is the child support right in Denmark?
Both parents have a legal duty to support their children financially:Standard rate (normalbidrag): The parent the child does not live with pays a standard amount set annually by the state — approx. 1,620 kr./month (2025) for children aged 0-17.Supplements: If the paying parent has a significantly higher income, Familieretshuset can impose supplements — 100%, 200% or 300% on top of the standard rate.Education support: The support obligation continues until age 24 if the child is in education.Collection: If the paying parent does not pay, the receiving parent can obtain an advance payment from...
When does it apply — child support?
The parents live apart and the child lives primarily with one parent.You cannot agree on the child support and need Familieretshuset to set the amount.
What do I do if my ex-partner refuses to pay child support in Denmark?
If you can agree, make a written agreement and register it with Familieretshuset.If you cannot agree, apply to Familieretshuset to have the support set — the assessment is based on the paying parent's income.If the other parent does not pay, apply for an advance payment via your municipality — the state pays you and collects the debt.Report changes in your income to Familieretshuset if you believe the support should be adjusted.
What should you NOT do — child support?
Don't withhold contact because child support is not being paid — custody and support are legally separate matters.Don't hide income to reduce your support obligation — Familieretshuset cross-checks with tax data.Don't ignore a child-support decision — unpaid support becomes debt collected by Gældsstyrelsen (wage attachment, seizure).