As a reminder for all employers in the United States, the General Services Administration (GSA) has announced that federal per diem rates for travel within the continental U.S. (CONUS) will remain unchanged for Fiscal Year 2026, covering travel from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. 

What is a Per Diem Rate? A per diem rate is a daily allowance for business travel expenses, combining:

• Lodging
• Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE)

These rates vary by location and can be used instead of detailed receipts, provided the allowance does not exceed the federal rate.

Highlights for FY 2026:

• Standard CONUS Rate:
  • Lodging: $110
  • M&IE: $68
  • Total: $178 per day

• Non-Standard Areas (NSAs):
  • M&IE tiers: $68 to $92
  • Combined rates: $178 to $575, depending on location and season

• No new NSA locations were added.

Employer Considerations:

• How to Find Rates: Use the GSA Per Diem Lookup Tool for specific locations. The site also provides links to Department of Defense and State Department rates for OCONUS and foreign travel: GSA – Per Diem Rates

• If per diem rates are insufficient, agencies may authorize actual expense reimbursement up to 300% of the applicable rate under federal travel regulations.

For additional information:

• GSA – Per Diem Bulletin FTR 26-01
• Federal Register – GSA 08/19/2025 – Maximum Per Diem Reimbursement Rates for the Continental United States (CONUS)
• GSA – Per Diem Rates

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