Planning a PCS or TDY move to Ramstein Air Base, the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) means dealing with three different allowances: TLA, TDY per diem, and OHA. Each one is calculated differently, and knowing the current rate ceilings helps you budget your move and compare lodging options with confidence. This guide breaks down how each allowance works and links directly to the official government tools you should always check for your specific orders.
TLA, TDY Per Diem, and OHA: What Is the Difference?
These three allowances are often confused because they all relate to housing costs overseas, but they apply to different situations and are calculated on entirely different bases.
| Allowance | Used for | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) | OCONUS PCS moves, while you search for permanent housing or clear a hotel at departure | Percentage of the local per diem rate (lodging and M&IE), based on household size |
| TDY Per Diem | Temporary duty travel, not a permanent change of station | Fixed daily lodging and M&IE rate set by locality |
| OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) | Signed long term rental leases after you have moved into permanent housing | Rental ceiling by pay grade and locality code, plus a utility/recurring maintenance allowance |
In short: TLA and TDY per diem cover short, temporary stays and are tied to the local per diem rate. OHA only applies once you have signed a lease and is tied to a separate rental ceiling table. TLA Office is built around the TLA and TDY per diem window: furnished, all-inclusive stays for the exact period before you have a lease in hand.
How TLA Is Calculated
TLA is not a flat daily dollar amount. It is a percentage of the local foreign per diem rate, and the percentage depends on how many people are in the household and how they are lodged together, per DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Volume 7A, Chapter 68, Table 68-11.
| Household composition | Lodging % | M&IE % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 service member, or 1 dependent alone | 100% | 65% |
| Service member couple, lodging together | 65% each | 65% each |
| Service member plus 1 dependent, or 2 dependents together | 100% | 100% |
| Each additional dependent, age 12 or older | +35% | +35% |
| Each additional dependent, under age 12 | +25% | +25% |
These percentages apply to the full lodging and M&IE rate for your locality, shown in the next section. Arrival TLA at an OCONUS station can generally be paid for up to 60 days while you are actively searching for permanent housing, and departure TLA for up to 10 days while you clear out. Your TLA authorization and exact day limits are set by your orders and sponsoring command, so always confirm specifics with your finance office.
Current Foreign Per Diem Rate: Kaiserslautern / Ramstein
| Component | Rate per day |
|---|---|
| Lodging | $229 |
| M&IE (meals and incidental expenses) | $133 |
| Total locality rate | $362 |
Your actual TLA payment applies the household percentage from the table above to this locality rate. A single service member traveling alone, for example, would be paid against 100% of the $229 lodging rate and 65% of the $133 M&IE rate, not the full $362.
OHA Rental Ceiling by Pay Grade: Kaiserslautern Military Community (DE700)
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-6 | €2,380 / $2,771 | €2,142 / $2,494 |
| O-5 / W-5 | €2,300 / $2,678 | €2,070 / $2,410 |
| O-4 / W-4 / W-3 / O-3E | €2,150 / $2,503 | €1,935 / $2,253 |
| E-9 | €2,150 / $2,503 | €1,935 / $2,253 |
| O-3 / W-2 / O-2E / O-1E | €1,750 / $2,037 | €1,575 / $1,834 |
| E-8 / E-7 / E-6 | €1,750 / $2,037 | €1,575 / $1,834 |
| O-2 / W-1 / O-1 | €1,600 / $1,863 | €1,440 / $1,676 |
| E-5 | €1,600 / $1,863 | €1,440 / $1,676 |
| E-1 / E-2 / E-3 / E-4 | €1,500 / $1,746 | €1,350 / $1,572 |
Why This Matters When You Book Furnished Housing
TLA Office furnished apartments near Ramstein Air Base, KMC, and LRMC are built for the exact window these allowances cover: fully furnished, all bills included, no lease, no furniture to buy or sell. Many families find that a well chosen furnished stay fits comfortably inside the TLA or TDY per diem they are already authorized, without the gaps and extra errands a hotel room leaves behind.
Check Availability Browse furnished homes near Ramstein & KMCIf you are still weighing a hotel, a short term rental, or a furnished stay against each other, our guide to what to compare walks through the practical differences point by point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TLA cover the full cost of my stay?
Not always. TLA is a percentage of the local per diem rate based on your household size, not a blank check. Depending on your household composition and the cost of lodging you choose, you may have a gap between what TLA pays and your actual lodging cost, which is why comparing options before you book matters.
Can I use TDY per diem for a PCS move instead of TLA?
No. TDY per diem applies to temporary duty travel that is not a permanent change of station. A PCS move to an OCONUS location uses TLA instead, calculated against the same local per diem rate but under the household percentage rules in DoD FMR Volume 7A, Chapter 68.
When does OHA start instead of TLA?
OHA begins once you have signed a long term lease on permanent housing. Until then, TLA (for PCS moves) or TDY per diem (for temporary duty) applies. OHA is tied to its own rental ceiling table by pay grade and locality code, shown above for the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
How often do these rates change?
Foreign per diem rates (used for TLA and TDY) are reviewed and can change monthly. OHA rental ceilings are reviewed less frequently, typically on a periodic cycle set by DTMO. Always verify the current figures for your dates with the official DTMO tools linked above before finalizing a budget.
Sources and last verified date: Figures and percentages checked 10 October 2026 against travel.dod.mil, Temporary Lodging Allowance and the DoD FMR Volume 7A, Chapter 68 TLA Fact Sheet; per diem and OHA ceiling figures referenced from publicly available PCS calculators and cross checked against official methodology. Per diem and OHA rates change over time. Always confirm current figures for your specific orders and travel dates with the official DTMO Per Diem Rate Lookup and DTMO Overseas Housing Allowance pages, or with your finance office.