Money & entitlements
TLA vs TQSA: what's the difference for a PCS to Germany?
Quick answer
Active-duty service members get **TLA** — up to 60 days of temporary lodging on arrival at the KMC, reviewed in roughly 15-day increments. GS civilians get **TQSA** instead — an initial 90 days, extendable to 150 with agency approval. They're different programs with different day limits and different filing offices. Contractors and NAF employees usually get neither unless their contract or appointment letter says otherwise — check yours directly.
| Program | Who it's for | Arrival lodging | Departure | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active duty | TLA | Up to 60 days (~15-day review increments) | Up to 10 days | DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 68 |
| GS civilian | TQSA | 90 days, extendable to 150 | TQSE (separate program) | DSSR §120 / 41 CFR 302-6 |
| Contractor | None by default | Per contract | Per contract | Contract terms |
| NAF employee | Position-dependent | Per appointment letter | Per appointment letter | Appointment letter |
TLA — active duty
On arrival at the KMC, active-duty service members can receive TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) for up to 60 days while they search for permanent housing. It's reviewed in roughly 15-day increments, and extensions beyond 60 days require documented cause plus command approval.
On the way out, departure TLA is much shorter — up to 10 days. Extensions on departure aren't routine, so plan your move-out timeline with that in mind.
Source DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 68 §4.6.1 (arrival) and §4.9.1 (departure).
TQSA — GS civilians
GS civilians don't get TLA — they get TQSA (Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance) instead. It starts at 90 days and can be extended by up to 60 more days (150 days total) if your agency approves a compelling reason.
The daily rate steps down over time: about 75% of per diem for days 1–30, 65% for days 31–60, and 55% for days 61–150.
Where you file depends on which service hired you: Army-side hires go through the Army CPAC; Air Force-side hires go through AF CPF, Bldg 2120, Ramstein.
Source DSSR §120 / 41 CFR 302-6.
Contractors and NAF employees
Contractors have no DoD-mandated TLA or TQSA. Whatever lodging support you get comes entirely from your individual contract or your company's policy — check with your employer, not the base.
NAF employees' lodging support is position-dependent. Locally-hired NAF positions (a common situation for a trailing spouse) typically receive none. What actually applies to you is spelled out in your NAF appointment letter — that's the single source of truth, not a general policy.
What the KMC per diem rates are
If you're on TLA or TQSA, the per diem you're working from (effective 08/01/2025) is: lodging $237/night, meals & incidentals $112/day, for a combined max of $377/day.
Source DoD per diem rate table (OCONUS), effective 08/01/2025.
Frequently asked
- How many days of temporary lodging do I get?
- It depends on your status. Active-duty service members get up to 60 days of TLA on arrival (10 days on departure). GS civilians get 90 days of TQSA, extendable to 150. Contractors and NAF employees usually get none unless their contract or appointment letter says otherwise. Confirm your exact numbers with your finance/housing office.
- What's the difference between TQSA and TQSE?
- TQSA is the allowance GS civilians use when arriving overseas. TQSE is a separate, distinct program used on departure. Don't assume the arrival rules carry over — check with your CPAC/CPF on what applies when you're moving out.
- Do contractors get TLA or TQSA?
- No — those are DoD military and GS civilian programs. Contractors get only what their individual contract or employer provides. There's no DoD-mandated fallback.
Verified 2026-07-11 · Boris is an independent project, not affiliated with the DoD.
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