The Ministry of Justice has published the Alimentary Board. Many fathers simply ask: does the new progressive pattern not burden more men who still account for 94% of maintenance debtors? Below I present a detailed analysis along with net-gross simulations.
What's a maintenance table?
- This is a tool indicating "typical" amounts, depending on the age of the child, the number of dependent children and the gross income of the obliged person.
- There is no legal power, but it is intended to harmonise the case law and speed up mediation.
- The basic amount (1,004 PLN for the child 0-7 years, with income ≤ PLN 4,300) represents 70% of the social minimum per child of 2024.
Why do fathers feel hurt?
- Non-alignment statistics: 94% of debtors are men and total debt exceeded PLN 16 billion at the end of 2024.
- The progress of the table depends on the amount of the benefit on earnings – the higher the gross, the faster the increase in alimony (10% every 800 PLN to 8,300 PLN, then 15%).
- Deduction limits: the table recommends not to exceed 3/5 of the salary, but many fathers work below potential or in a gray zone to understate the base.
NET/BRUTTO table – how does it look in the wallet?
The following statements show three income thresholds (4,300 PLN – minimum wage II half-year 2024; 8 300 PLN – upper limit of "low" progression; 9 200 PLN – threshold of average earnings) and assume 1 child. "Stays Life" = net income minus alimony. The amounts were rounded to full PLN.
0-7 years
| Gross income | Net income | Aliments | He's staying alive. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 300 | 3 262 | 1 004 | 2 258 |
| 8 300 | 5 988 | 1 506 | 4 482 |
| 9 200 | 6 601 | 1 657 | 4 944 |
8-11 years
| Gross income | Net income | Aliments | He's staying alive. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 300 | 3 262 | 1 130 | 2 132 |
| 8 300 | 5 988 | 1 694 | 4 294 |
| 9 200 | 6 601 | 1 864 | 4 737 |
12-15 years
| Gross income | Net income | Aliments | He's staying alive. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 300 | 3 262 | 1 255 | 2 007 |
| 8 300 | 5 988 | 1 883 | 4 105 |
| 9 200 | 6 601 | 2 071 | 4 530 |
16-18 years
| Gross income | Net income | Aliments | He's staying alive. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 300 | 3 262 | 1 381 | 1 881 |
| 8 300 | 5 988 | 1 915 | 4 073 |
| 9 200 | 6 601 | 2 278 | 4 323 |
18+ years
| Gross income | Net income | Aliments | He's staying alive. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 300 | 3 262 | 1 506 | 1 756 |
| 8 300 | 5 988 | 2 259 | 3 729 |
| 9 200 | 6 601 | 2 485 | 4 116 |
More children are bigger alimony
With two and three children, the amounts increase more slowly, because the table reduces the rate by 7.5% for each child, but the total amount can still "eat" a large part of the salary. For example, in group 0-7 years at income 8,300 PLN alimony per three children is PLN 1,280 per each, i.e. PLN 3 840 total is 64% of net income and close to the statutory ceiling of 3/5. In turn, in the group of 12-15 years with a salary of PLN 9,200 total of PLN 5,745 (PLN 1,915 × 3) means that for life there is little more than PLN 850 per person in a three-man farm. Such numbers show that in multi-child families it is crucial to take into account the limit of 3/5 and the real cost of living each child, because simple progression quickly turns into a burden difficult to handle.
Government gap – no Ministry for Equality
In the July reconstruction, Prime Minister Donald Tusk liquidated the position of Minister for Equality and Katarzyna Kotula (Levice) lost her function, although announced further work in the rank of State Secretary or Proxy. If she remained in the government in the rank of minister, she could seek an audit of the table for gender neutrality, as well as strengthening the shields for multi-children families, e.g. through flexible thresholds or deductions in the German pattern. The lack of a ministry's voice on equality makes the discussion of possible discrimination, especially of the progressive fathers, mainly on social media today.
Does the table actually discriminate?
- No gender differentiation – rates depend exclusively on gross amounts, not on the gender of the obliged person.
- Statistics vs. practice – because it is mainly fathers who are under maintenance obligation, the effects of the table will be more often felt by men, but with equal income the mother will pay identically.
- Mechanism 3/5 – The protective deduction limit is intended to protect everyone, regardless of gender.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will the table update the old sentences? Nope. A new procedure is needed and a change of circumstances is demonstrated.
- What about minimum wage increases? MS intends to value the table every year after the publication of the social minimum.
- Does net income count under the table? No; the court may accept higher "profitable opportunities" if it finds evidence.
The new table does not differentiate gender in the algorithm itself, but in Polish realities its weight will mainly fall on fathers, because they in 9 out of 10 cases are obliged. For families with two or three children, progression can quickly absorb most of the salary, so observing the limit of 3/5 and annual table reviews are crucial. Will the lack of a ministerial vote on equality delay any adjustments?
Official maintenance board from the Ministry of Justice
Q&A to maintenance board from the Ministry of Justice
