Alimony Tables in Poland: Maintenance Reform That Collapsed

At Dudkowiak Family Lawyers, we welcome thoughtful reform in family law – especially when it seeks to improve clarity and consistency for parents and courts alike. Unfortunately, the recently published (and quickly withdrawn) alimony tables issued by the Ministry of Justice failed to meet those expectations.

Despite being labeled as a “non-binding tool” the tables were positioned as guidance for courts and mediators in determining child support obligations in Poland. In theory, a structured benchmark could be useful. In practice, however, the proposal lacked the legal and financial sophistication required for matters as nuanced as alimony.

Check: Alimony Tables in Poland

Why Did the Alimony Tables Not Work Out?

We are of the opinion that alimony tables were fundamentally flawed. The calculations were based on gross income, with no accounting for actual expenses, individual circumstances, or varying financial obligations – especially in families with multiple children.

As an example the child support tables stipulated, among other things, that with a gross income of PLN 24.401 (i.e. an average monthly net income of PLN 14.980), child support for three children would amount to PLN 19.008 (3 x PLN 6.336). In other words, a parent would have to pay back all their earnings and take out a loan of over PLN 4.000 per month to fulfill their parental obligation under the child support table in Poland.

The model ignored one of the most important pillars of Polish family law: the principle of balancing the needs of the child with the real earning capacity of the obligated parent. Many of the table-generated maintenance amounts bordered on impractical, if not punitive, for the average working parent.

Alimony Tables (2025) in Poland Created Havoc

The Ministry intended the alimony tables to facilitate mediation and speed up proceedings. In reality, they risked:

• Setting unrealistic financial expectations,
• Escalating disputes rather than resolving them,
• Disincentivizing voluntary agreements,
• Undermining the credibility of judicial discretion.

We’re not alone in this view. Practitioners across the country, including legal academics and family judges, raised similar concerns. Within a few days of release, the Polish alimony tables were pulled down, with officials acknowledging the need to revise the proposal.

How Alimony Should be Calculated in Poland?

At Dudkowiak Family Lawyers, we believe family law cannot be reduced to algorithms. Every alimony case involves a distinct set of facts – income, shared custody arrangements, the child’s specific needs, the history of support, and often complex emotional dynamics.

Standardization, while tempting, cannot replace judicial analysis. If reforms are to be implemented, they must be developed through transparent consultation with legal experts, and grounded in the real financial landscape facing Polish families – not theoretical models.

For more information see our article: https://www.dudkowiak.com/family/legal-service/alimony-maintenance/

Are the Alimony Tables binding in Poland?

The alimony tables were removed from the government websites, it is assumed that they shall not be applied. As a result, nothing has changed regarding alimony determination rules. When deciding about maintenance in Poland the courts should continue to rely on the principles laid out in the Family and Guardianship Code:

• The needs of the child,
• The financial and earning capabilities of the obligated parent,
• Fairness, proportionality, and individual circumstances.

Until a revised framework is introduced (and properly vetted), we caution against relying on any published “alimony calculators” or unofficial guidelines.

If you are seeking advice regarding child support obligations – either in negotiation or litigation – our team is here to provide clear, practical, and tailored legal support based on the law, not headlines.

Contact us at Dudkowiak Family Lawyers for individualized guidance in all alimony and family law matters.