Tax and budget · Budget and housing
Wage garnishment in 2026: how much do you keep?
Updated on
In 2026, nothing can be garnished from a net salary up to €1,419 a month. Above that, the deduction is 20%, 30% then 40% per band up to €1,839, then everything above it: at €1,839 net, you keep at least €1,707.80. The deduction falls by €88 for each declared dependent child. Example: out of €2,000 net, €292.20 can be deducted, only €28.20 with three dependent children.
These limits apply to wage garnishment and to assignment of pay, except for unpaid maintenance payments. If your debts are piling up, a free debt mediation service can help you.
Calculate what you keep
Enter your net income for the month, its type and your dependent children. Indexo applies the 2026 protected bands. Nothing is sent: everything is calculated in your browser.
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Protected bands in 2026
The calculation is based on net income for the month. Each band has its own garnishable percentage. For benefits (unemployment, health insurance fund, pension), the scale has only two rates: 20%, then 40% from €1,524.01.
| Net income for the month | Salary or self-employed income | Benefit (replacement income) | Maximum deduction for the band (salary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to €1,419 | Nothing | Nothing | — |
| €1,419.01 to €1,524 | 20% | 20% | €21.00 |
| €1,524.01 to €1,682 | 30% | 40% | €47.40 |
| €1,682.01 to €1,839 | 40% | 40% | €62.80 |
| Above €1,839 | Everything | Everything | — |
| Net salary | No children | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €1,400 | €1,400.00 | €1,400.00 | €1,400.00 | €1,400.00 |
| €1,600 | €1,556.20 | €1,600.00 | €1,600.00 | €1,600.00 |
| €1,800 | €1,684.40 | €1,772.40 | €1,800.00 | €1,800.00 |
| €2,000 | €1,707.80 | €1,795.80 | €1,883.80 | €1,971.80 |
| €2,500 | €1,707.80 | €1,795.80 | €1,883.80 | €1,971.80 |
| €3,000 | €1,707.80 | €1,795.80 | €1,883.80 | €1,971.80 |
The 2027 amounts have not been published yet: they usually are in December, by Royal Decree. This page will switch to 2027 as soon as they are published.
Dependent children
The garnishable portion falls by €88 per dependent child, provided you declare the child to your employer or the paying body, using the prescribed form. A child counts if under 25, if you contribute to their costs, and if their net resources over the last 12 months do not exceed €4,015 (cohabiting parent), €5,799 (single parent) or €7,352 (child with a disability).
Maintenance payments: no limit
When the garnishment or assignment is used to pay maintenance, the protected bands do not apply: all income can be deducted, and this garnishment takes priority over the others. The delegation of sums between spouses follows the same rule.
Where to find help
An approved debt mediation service reviews your situation with you, free of charge, and looks for a solution with your creditors.
- Wallonia: call 1718 (freephone), see the list from the Observatoire du crédit et de l’endettement, or contact the Public Centre for Social Welfare (CPAS/OCMW) in your municipality.
- Brussels: the Centre d’appui aux services de médiation de dettes provides information on approved services; your municipality’s CPAS/OCMW is one of them.
- Flanders: all OCMWs and many CAWs (general welfare centres) are approved for debt mediation (schuldbemiddeling); list on eerstehulpbijschulden.be.
For your other entitlements: support you may be entitled to. For your exact net pay: gross to net.
Indicative information. The bailiff, the court registry or a debt mediation service will check your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What amount cannot be garnished in 2026?
The first €1,419 net a month cannot be garnished for an ordinary debt. Above that, the deduction is made by band: 20%, 30%, then 40% up to €1,839, and everything above.
How much will I keep with €2,000 net?
At least €1,707.80: €292.20 can be deducted. With three declared dependent children, the deduction falls to €28.20 and you keep €1,971.80.
Do dependent children reduce the garnishment?
Yes, by €88 per child per month in 2026, if you declare them to your employer or the paying body, using the prescribed form.
Can unpaid maintenance payments take everything?
Yes: for maintenance payments, the law protects no band of income, and this garnishment takes priority over all others.
What next?
- Benefits you may be missingThe support you may be entitled to.
- The salary you needYour monthly budget, item by item.
- Gross to netYour exact net pay, to the cent.
- JobseekerYour rights and the steps to take.
Sources
Parameters in force on 1 October 2026. Each parameter links to its source, the official one where it exists; a secondary source is flagged as such.
- Saisies et cessions : montants 2026 (15 December 2025), Partena Professional (secondary source).
- Montants des quotités saisissables et cessibles à partir du 1er janvier 2026 (RD of 3 December 2025, Belgian Official Gazette of 10 December 2025), UCM (secondary source).
- Comment calculer la réduction pour enfants à charge ? (25 February 2026), Securex (secondary source).
- Le 1718 pour trouver un service de médiation de dettes en Wallonie, Droits Quotidiens (secondary source).
- À quoi sert un service de médiation de dettes ?, Centre d’appui aux services de médiation de dettes de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale.
- Hulp zoeken bij financiële problemen, Vlaanderen.be.