Everything you need to know about alimony in Ukraine

Alimony is not just money for the child. Article 180 of the Family Code of Ukraine (FCU) clearly states that parents are obliged to support their children, regardless of which parent the child lives with. In addition, in certain cases, alimony may also apply to spouses.

Who is entitled to alimony

1. Children under 18 years of age. If one of the parents lives separately, he or she is obliged to contribute to the maintenance of the child until he or she reaches the age of majority (Articles 180–183 of the Family Code of Ukraine).
2. Adult children. If a child is studying and needs assistance, parents are obliged to support them until the age of 23, as well as in the event of incapacity for work (Articles 198–199 of the Family Code of Ukraine).
3. Spouses. In a number of cases (pregnancy, raising a minor or a child with a disability, incapacity of one of the spouses), the law provides for financial support between husband and wife both during marriage and after divorce (Articles 75–91 of the Family Code of Ukraine).

How child support is determined

There are three main ways:

• Voluntarily. One of the parents can submit an application at their place of work for voluntary deductions. This is quick but unreliable: the application can be withdrawn.
• Agreement. Parents can conclude a notarized maintenance agreement (Article 78 of the Family Code of Ukraine). If it is not fulfilled, the funds can be collected through a notary’s executive inscription, without going to court.
• Through court. If there is no agreement, the issue is resolved in court. The court sets alimony as a percentage of income or a fixed amount (Articles 183, 184 of the Family Code of Ukraine). The decision is enforced in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Enforcement Proceedings.”

Amount of alimony

• The minimum guaranteed amount is 50% of the subsistence minimum for a child of the corresponding age (Article 182 of the Family Code of Ukraine; the Law “On State Assistance to Families with Children” is also taken into account):
  • up to 6 years old — about 930 UAH;
  • from 6 to 18 years old — about 1159 UAH.
• The minimum recommended amount is the full subsistence minimum:
  • up to 6 years old — 1859 UAH;
  • from 6 to 18 years old — 2318 UAH.

The court takes into account not only income, but also the health of the parents and child, the availability of other support, and even large expenses if they clearly exceed official income. If the payer is unemployed, the amount of alimony may be determined based on the average salary in the region (CMU Resolution No. 146 of February 26, 1993).

Liability for non-payment

In case of debt, a penalty is charged — 1% of the amount for each day of delay (but not more than the total debt) (Article 196 of the Family Code of Ukraine).

The debtor may be subject to restrictions: travel abroad, driving a car, use of weapons (Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Strengthen Liability for Non-Payment of Alimony,” 2017).

In cases of malicious evasion, criminal liability is even provided for — from community service to restriction of liberty (Article 164 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Common myths

• “Alimony is only for children.” In fact, it can also apply to spouses (Article 75 of the Family Code of Ukraine).
• “An unemployed person will not pay anything.” The court may award alimony in a fixed amount or based on average wages.
• “No assistance is provided after divorce.” There are cases where one of the former spouses is obliged to support the other (Articles 76, 84–89 of the Family Code of Ukraine).

International practice

In other countries, the right to alimony after divorce is commonplace:

• Canada — spousal support;
• United States — alimony system;
• Germany — support for raising children or disabled persons.

This shows that both in Ukraine and abroad, alimony is not a “punishment” but a form of social support for the weaker party in family relations.

Alimony isn’t always about children

The Family Code of Ukraine (Articles 75–91) establishes the obligation of spouses to support each other financially during marriage and after divorce.

In 2024, the Constitutional Court (Decision No. 1-r/2024 of October 29, 2024) ruled that the provision linking the right to alimony to the minimum subsistence level was unconstitutional. This means that the right to assistance depends on a person’s actual needs, rather than a formal figure.