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?
- To narzędzie wskazujące „typowe” kwoty, zależne od: wieku dziecka, liczby children na utrzymaniu oraz dochodu brutto zobowiązanego.
- There is no legal power, but it is intended to harmonise the case law and speed up mediation.
- Kwota bazowa (1 004 zł dla dziecka 0-7 lat, przy dochodzie ≤ 4 300 zł) stanowi 70% minimum socjalnego na child z 2024 r.
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?
Poniższe zestawienia pokazują trzy progi dochodów (4 300 zł – płaca minimalna II półrocza 2024; 8 300 zł – górna granica „niskiej” progresji; 9 200 zł – próg średnich zarobków) i zakładają 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
Przy dwójce i trójce children kwoty rosną wolniej, bo tabela obniża stawkę o 7,5% na każde kolejne dziecko, ale łączna suma nadal potrafi „zjeść” sporą część pensji. Np. w grupie 0-7 lat przy dochodzie 8 300 zł alimenty na trójkę dzieci wynoszą 1 280 zł na każde, czyli 3 840 zł łącznie to 64% dochodu netto i blisko ustawowego pułapu 3/5. Z kolei w grupie 12-15 lat przy zarobkach 9 200 zł suma 5 745 zł (1 915 zł × 3) oznacza, że na życie zostaje niewiele ponad 850 zł na osobę w trzyosobowym gospodarstwie. Takie liczby pokazują, że w rodzinach wielodzietnych kluczowe jest uwzględnienie limitu 3/5 oraz realne koszty utrzymania każdego dziecka, bo prosta progresja szybko przeradza się w obciążenie trudne do udźwignięcia.
Government gap – no Ministry for Equality
W lipcowej rekonstrukcji Prime Minister Donald Tusk zlikwidował stanowisko ministry ds. równości, a Katarzyna Kotula (Left) straciła funkcję, 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
