How much child support can be deducted from a service member’s pay?

Courts consider the circumstances of each case individually when setting child support.

If parents cannot agree on the amount of child support, a court can decide. For service members, as for other people who pay child support, deductions are based on income. In their case, that income is military pay. The Family Code of Ukraine sets the limits within which child support can be determined.

How child support is calculated

The court considers:

• The child’s health and financial circumstances.
• The payer’s health and financial circumstances.
• Whether the payer has other children or dependants.
• Whether the payer owns movable or immovable property, has money or holds other assets.

The court may also consider other material circumstances.

Guaranteed minimum

The guaranteed minimum per child is at least 50% of the statutory subsistence minimum for the child’s age. In 2026, that is:

• UAH 1,408.50 for a child under six.
• UAH 1,756 for a child aged six to 18.

These are the minimum amounts to be deducted from military pay regardless of the service member’s specific income.

Recommended minimum

The recommended minimum equals 100% of the statutory subsistence minimum for the child’s age:

• UAH 2,817 for children under six.
• UAH 3,512 for children aged six to 18.

A court may set these amounts if the service member’s income is sufficient.

Maximum amount

When child support is deducted as a share of income under court order proceedings, it may not exceed ten times the subsistence minimum for a child of the relevant age:

• UAH 28,170 for a child under six.
• UAH 35,120 for a child aged six to 18.

When the court sets child support as a share of income rather than a fixed sum, the amount may be one-quarter for one child, one-third for two children, or one-half for three or more children. The children receive equal shares of that amount.

Support for adult children

A child aged 18 to 23 who continues their education and needs financial support from their parents is also entitled to support. For this group, the guaranteed minimum is UAH 1,514 and the maximum possible amount is UAH 30,280.

The Ministry of Defence previously explained which components of military pay may be used for child support deductions and whether those deductions apply to combat pay.

English translation of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine original · CC BY 4.0.