Family with children at kitchen table with budget
Guide
18. Dec 202414 min read
Børnefamilie
Børnepenge
Familieøkonomi

Disposable income for families: What do children cost?

Children are expensive, but how expensive? And what does the bank expect when a family with children applies for a loan? Here's a realistic overview of what children cost in your disposable income.

What do children cost in practice?

Expenses for children vary enormously depending on age, activities, and housing type. Here are some typical monthly expenses:

  • Daycare or after-school care: 3,000-4,000 DKK per child
  • Leisure activities (sports, music): 500-1,500 DKK per child
  • Clothes and shoes: 500-1,000 DKK per child
  • Food (extra consumption): 500-1,000 DKK per child

What banks expect from families

The Danish Debt Agency's 2026 rates add 2,150–3,950 DKK of extra disposable income per child, depending on the child's age, on top of the couple's base rate (13,360 DKK).

This means a family with 2 children has a guiding floor of roughly 17,660–21,260 DKK available after fixed expenses. See the full 2026 rate table. An individual bank can still assess more strictly or more leniently.

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Typical child expenses per month

Here's an overview of what you can typically expect to spend on one child per month:

Daycare/After-school3,000–4,000 DKK/month
Leisure activities500–1,500 DKK/month
Clothes and shoes500–1,000 DKK/month
Bank's standard addition2,150–3,950 DKK/child

Frequently asked questions about disposable income for families

Yes. Child benefits and child allowances count as income when calculating your disposable income. Banks also include child benefits in their assessments.

Often not. Daycare is replaced by after-school care and then leisure activities. Clothes and food become more expensive. Most families experience stable or increasing expenses until children move out.

Banks expect a higher disposable income for each child. This may mean you're offered a smaller loan than if you didn't have children, even if your income is the same.

Yes. All expenses for childcare, education, and activities should be included in your fixed expenses. This gives a more realistic picture of your disposable income.

Banks may treat shared custody children differently than full-time children. You should still include custody-related expenses (transport, activities, food) in your calculation for a realistic picture.
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How we make this content: it's written by Reelt, figures are sourced when they come from an authority, and none of it is financial or legal advice. Read more about Reelt

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