Disposable income for couples: How to calculate your shared finances

Shared economy vs. separate economy

Many couples choose a mix of shared and separate finances. You might have a joint account for rent and food, but separate accounts for personal expenses.

Regardless of how you organize your finances, it's important to know your combined disposable income, especially when applying for loans.

• Combined disposable income is the sum of both incomes minus shared fixed expenses
• Remember to include both partners' personal fixed expenses (insurance, subscriptions)
• Be aware of expenses that only appear on one account

How to calculate your combined disposable income

To get an accurate picture, you need to combine data from both accounts. Here are the key steps:

• Collect all deposits: Salary, benefits, child allowance, and other income from both
• Identify shared fixed expenses: Rent, insurance, car, streaming services
• Include personal fixed expenses: Gym, union dues, personal subscriptions

With Reelt, you can upload bank statements from both accounts and get a combined overview of your shared finances.

What banks expect from couples

When applying for a loan as a couple, the bank assesses your combined finances and whether you can repay that particular loan. There is no universal minimum for all couples. The Danish Debt Agency's 2026 figure of 13,360 DKK per month applies to public debt collection, not as a fixed bank requirement. See the rates and their purpose.

Banks value documentation that shows stability over time. With Reelt, you can generate a report that combines both finances and shows your shared disposable income.

Frequently asked questions about disposable income for couples