Per Diem Rates for Ramstein Air Base & Germany: TDY Travel Allowance Guide

What Is Per Diem?

Per diem (Latin for “per day”) is a daily allowance paid to service members and DoD civilians traveling on official orders. It covers two main categories:

• Lodging — your hotel or temporary housing costs (reimbursed at actual cost up to the maximum rate)
• M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses) — a flat daily rate for food, tips, laundry, and other incidentals

Current Per Diem Rates for Ramstein/KMC Area

OCONUS per diem rates are set by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and published in the OCONUS Per Diem Rate PDF, updated periodically (most recently effective April 2026).

Understanding the Two Components

Lodging Per Diem

• Reimburses actual lodging costs up to the maximum daily rate
• If your hotel costs less than the max, you only receive what you paid
• If your hotel exceeds the max, you pay the difference out of pocket
• TLA housing approved by the Housing Office counts toward lodging per diem
• On-base lodging (Ramstein Inn) is typically within per diem rates

M&IE (Meals & Incidental Expenses)

• Paid as a flat daily rate regardless of what you actually spend
• Covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, tips, laundry, and other daily expenses
• First and last travel days receive 75% of the full M&IE rate
• If meals are provided (conference meals, government meals), your M&IE is reduced by the proportional meal rate
• The M&IE breakdown shows specific amounts for each meal — check the DTMO tables

Per Diem for TDY to Ramstein

If you’re on TDY orders to Ramstein Air Base, here’s what to know:

• Lodging priority: You must check availability at on-base lodging (Ramstein Inn) first. If unavailable, you can stay off-base
• Non-availability statement: Get one from the Ramstein Inn front desk if they’re full — this authorizes off-base lodging at per diem rates
• TLA apartments (like DODSC) are an excellent option for TDY travelers — fully furnished, kitchen included, often more comfortable than a hotel room
• Rental car: May be authorized on your orders — fuel costs are reimbursed separately
• Flat rate per diem: For TDY over 30 days at the same location, you may receive a reduced “flat rate” (typically 55-75% of full per diem)

Per Diem for PCS Travel Through Germany

During a PCS move, per diem rules differ from TDY:

• TLA (up to 60 days) covers your temporary lodging — this is separate from per diem
• En route per diem covers your travel days from CONUS to Germany
• Layovers and authorized stops receive full per diem at the layover location’s rate
• Proceed time (authorized travel days) each receive per diem

Per Diem Tips & Money-Saving Strategies

• Cook your own meals — staying in a TLA apartment with a kitchen lets you save most of your M&IE
• Shop at German bakeries and supermarkets — much cheaper than eating at restaurants for every meal
• Keep all receipts for lodging — you’ll need them for your travel voucher (DTS)
• File your travel voucher promptly — you have 5 business days after returning to file in DTS
• Check seasonal rate changes — per diem rates can vary by time of year at some locations
• Extended TDY (31+ days) — negotiate with your approving official about flat rate vs. actual expense

Filing Your Travel Voucher

After your TDY, you’ll file a travel voucher in the Defense Travel System (DTS):

1. Log into DTS within 5 business days of returning
2. Enter your actual lodging costs with receipts
3. M&IE is calculated automatically based on your travel dates and location
4. Include any authorized expenses (rental car, parking, tolls)
5. Deduct any provided meals (government meals, conference meals)
6. Submit for approval — payment typically arrives within 7-10 business days