How federal per diem works

Per diem is the daily allowance for lodging and meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) on official travel. This page summarises the rules in the Federal Travel Regulation (41 CFR Part 301-11, as amended by FTR Case 2025-05) and GSA's FAQs, quoting them where it matters.

Who gets it

Employees are eligible when they travel away from their official station and are "in a travel status for more than 12 hours" (§301-11.1).

Lodging: actual cost, up to the cap

"Employees are reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, not to exceed the applicable lodging per diem rate" (§301-11.19). The lodging cap is per night, so a trip with 3 nights has 3 lodging days but 4 M&IE days. For CONUS and non-foreign OCONUS trips, lodging taxes are reimbursed separately; for foreign areas they are already in the rate (§301-11.16).

M&IE: a flat daily amount

M&IE is paid as a flat rate, with 75% on the first and last day (§301-11.20). Provided meals are deducted using GSA's M&IE breakdown (§301-11.21).

Which rate applies

"Generally, the temporary duty (TDY) location determines the per diem reimbursement rate" (§301-11.4). Inside the 48 contiguous states and DC, GSA lists 295 non-standard areas for FY2027; everywhere else gets the standard rate ($113 + $68). GSA's FAQ explains the boundaries: a non-standard area includes "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties", and a military installation that straddles a boundary gets the higher rate.

Outside CONUS, Appendix A to Part 301-11 points to the Department of Defense for non-foreign areas (Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories) and to the Department of State for foreign areas. See foreign and OCONUS rates.

When the rate is not enough

Employees "may request reimbursement of their actual expenses up to 300 percent of the per diem rate" (§301-11.17), subject to agency approval.

When rates change

CONUS rates follow the federal fiscal year and change on October 1. FY2027 runs October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Foreign and non-foreign OCONUS rates can change on the first of any month.

Receipts

Under the actual expense method, receipts are required for lodging regardless of amount and for any individual meal over $75 (§301-11.23).

This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Your agency's travel policy and the official text of the FTR govern any claim.