Maintenance obligations

National information and online forms concerning Regulation No. 4/2009

General information

Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 relating to maintenance obligations aims at ensuring the effective and swift recovery of maintenance.

It provides for nine standard forms which should facilitate the communication between Central Authorities and make possible to submit applications electronically.

The Regulation applies between all Member States of the European Union.

Denmark confirmed its intention to implement the content of the Regulation, to the extent that the Regulation amends Regulation (EC) N° 44/2001, by means of a declaration (OJ L 149, 12.06.2009, p. 80) based on a parallel agreement concluded with the European Community.

Denmark confirmed its intention to implement the content of the Implementing Act of 10 November 2011 establishing Annexes X and XI to Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations. (DK notification. OJ L195, 18. 7. 2013, p.1)

Denmark is not bound by the 2007 Hague Protocol.

As of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer an EU Member State. However, in the field of civil justice, pending procedures and proceedings initiated before the end of the transition period will continue under EU law. Until the end of 2022, the United Kingdom can continue to be selected in online (dynamic) forms for the purpose of these proceedings and procedures.

The European e-Justice Portal provides you with information concerning the application of the Regulation and a user-friendly tool for filling in the forms.The European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters has developed a Guidance on the use of the Annexes under the Maintenance Regulation that is available in 23 language.

Non-compulsory standard form on the statement of maintenance arrears

In order to facilitate the practical implementation of the Maintenance Regulation, and the effective exercise of citizens’ rights throughout the EU, the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters developed a non-compulsory standard form on the statement of maintenance arrears. This non-compulsory form aims at facilitating the recovery of maintenance arrears and is available in 23 languages. The form comes with a practical guide on completing it attached. The form is available in the following formats: PDF PDF (1093 KB) en, and XLS Excel (244 KB) en.

Non-compulsory standard form on amicable solutions

To facilitate the implementation of the Maintenance Regulation, and the effective cross-border recovery of maintenance, the EJN-civil developed a (non-compulsory) standard form on amicable solutions.

Amicable settlement of the dispute will avoid the intervention of a court and/or an enforcement procedure. It can help prevent lengthy and complex proceedings. This form will help the Central Authorities to facilitate amicable agreements between the parties, and overcome the language barriers, with a view to obtaining voluntary payment of maintenance. The form is available in 23 languages. The form is available in the following format: PDF PDF (102 Kb) en

Please select the relevant country's flag to obtain detailed national information.

Related links

Hague Protocol of 23 November 2007

ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)


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Last update: 22/11/2023

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