Imagine a truck driver from the industrial zone near the A58 in Tilburg who drives daily between distribution centres and suddenly has to revise his finances after a divorce. From 1 January 2026, the TREMA guidelines will change the way child and spousal maintenance (kinder- en partneralimentatie) is calculated. Three concrete adjustments affect both new and ongoing cases.
Background to the TREMA Guidelines
TREMA norms are not legislation but a calculation method applied by courts throughout the Netherlands. The Expert Group on Maintenance Standards prepares the tables with input from lawyers, judges and researchers. Deviation is possible only with sound reasoning.
Higher Social Assistance Standard Limits Payment Capacity
The social assistance standard rises by approximately 3.8 per cent. A single person without children will henceforth retain around €1,230 per month as a minimum (compared with €1,185 previously). Those on low earnings therefore retain less to meet maintenance obligations. This also applies to many people working in the logistics or textile sector around Tilburg.
Adjusted Forfaitary Amounts for Housing and Care Costs
Non-attachable income is set at a higher level:
- Maximum forfaitary housing costs: from €870 to €905
- Health insurance premium: from €165 to €178
- Non-avoidable costs for children: from €89 to €96
Consequence: at middle incomes, maintenance often turns out slightly lower.
Lower Income-Dependent Combination Tax Credit
The combination tax credit falls from €2,694 to €2,481. Parents in a 50/50 arrangement with young children in particular notice this. Their net disposable income changes, which may shift their financial capacity for maintenance.
When Is Revision Possible?
If net disposable income changes by more than ten per cent, article 1:401 BW provides an opening for adjustment. An ongoing case before the Rechtbank Zeeland-West-Brabant in Breda can therefore be reviewed.
Pending Proceedings
Case not yet concluded? The new TREMA tables are then usually applied. A lawyer can update the calculation quickly. This sometimes makes a difference of tens of euros per month for the years ahead.
Obtaining Assistance in Tilburg
Official calculations should be prepared by a specialised lawyer or mediator. Arslan at Spoorlaan 350 in Tilburg (013 - 5300 300) assists with local questions. For an initial consultation you can also contact the Juridisch Loket Tilburg. Online calculation tools provide only an indication and carry no weight in court.