Learn more about per diem rates in 2026, what you can expect as you plan your travel for the next year and how per diem rates benefit you as a Traveler.

While many private companies choose to set their own per diem rates, others simply follow government standards or guidelines. Additionally, in some countries, per diem rates may actually be dictated by the government, rather than merely suggested.

All per diem rates are intended to ensure Travelers are given enough allocated funds to cover their day-to-day travel costs while on the road, particularly costs for accommodations and dining. Rates differ depending on where the Traveler is traveling, with adjustments made for higher-cost-of-living destinations. 

Rates go into effect at different times of the year, depending on your country of origin. The United States federal per diem rates went into effect in October, for example. Meanwhile, 2026 per diem rates for organizations in other countries may be announced later in the year.

Key Takeaways

• Standard per diem rates in the United States will not change in 2026.
• Standard international per diem rates do not always reflect actual travel costs.
• Using international per diem rates versus traditional expensing can benefit both Travelers and Travel Managers.
• Tools for determining per diem rates are included below. 

Per Diem Rates in 2026

Depending on where you are in the world, per diem guidelines may or may not have changed over the last year.

For example, in the United States, the U.S. General Services Administration, which suggests per diem rates for domestic travel for federal workers (with private organizations following suit), decided not to increase its per diem rates for 2026. Instead, it will hold to the same per diem rates that it used in 2025. Per Business Travel News, this is the first time in five years that the U.S. General Services Administration has decided not to increase the rates, year over year.

In a federal announcement, the organization noted that the decision not to increase the rates (despite rising business travel costs throughout the industry overall) was a budgetary one.

“Maintaining the FY 2026 per diem rates is a prudent step that reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds,”said Office of Government-wide Policy Associate Administrator Larry Allen. “GSA’s decision ensures cost-effective travel reimbursement while supporting the mission-critical mobility of the federal workforce.”

However, do note that these standard rates only apply to domestic travel to any city considered a “standard area.” Non-standard areas have their own per diem rates based on the actual costs in that destination.

For example, using the U.S. General Services Administration search tool, you can see that the per diem rate for Travelers going to Boca Raton, Florida, is much higher, with $171 allotted for daily lodging, versus the standard $110. Similarly, the per diem rate for lodging for Travelers going to New York City is $342. 

As such, if you’re doing business within the United States and are trying to anticipate your travel costs based on per diem rates in 2026, it’s worth considering where exactly you’re most likely to go in 2026. Then, explore any applicable non-standard per diem rates versus relying solely on the announced, unchanging standard rates.

Global Per Diem Rates in 2026

Looking at global per diem rates in 2026, each country will have its own guidelines. However, many countries’ 2026 per diem rates have yet to be announced. Additionally, some countries may not update their per diem rates annually, but rather periodically.

Despite this, there is one tool that you can use right now to gauge international per diem rates based on real, evolving data.

Business Travel News’ Corporate Travel Index analyzes the cost of doing business in 200 international destinations. Per diem suggestions are based on actual data related to travel spend. This makes the index an excellent resource when it comes to anticipating realistic travel costs for the year ahead. In addition to providing average hotel cost, taxi cost and meal cost, the index also presents quick data on quarter-over-quarter changes in costs.

According to the index and looking at data compiled at approximately the same time last year, for example, we can see that, last year at this time, you may have paid $57 per day for lodging in Kyiv, Ukraine, but now you’ll pay closer to $159. Similarly, you may’ve paid $53 per day for meals in Bangalore, but now you’ll pay closer to $56. 

Last year at this time, the index reported that, across all per diem data, Kyiv was the most affordable international destination for business Travelers, while London was the most expensive. This year, London still remains in the top, most expensive spot. St. Petersburg, Russia, is the least expensive.

How Using Per Diem Rates Helps Travelers

Following standard per diem rates—or even using per diem rates at all, versus expensing costs without a per diem rate in place—comes with many benefits.

For one, it simplifies the Business Travel Experience. When you know exactly what you can spend, and those per diem rates are laid out clearly in a business travel policy, policy adherence becomes that much easier.

Additionally, per diem rates streamline the expensing process. If you’ve ever returned from a business trip and needed to set aside time in your busy workday to gather receipts and pull together an expense report for your Travel Manager, you know what a pain this can be. Then, after you submit your expense report, you have to actually wait for the reimbursement. This can be frustrating, as well as financially stressful, depending on your travel costs.

Before your next business trip, examine your travel policy and see if it’s possible for you to use per diem rates for your costs versus typical expensing.

Learn More About What to Expect from Travel in 2026

To learn more about the latest business travel trends and get more advice for your next trip, from a guide to global tipping culture to the best business loyalty programs, make sure that you’re staying up to date with the JTB Business Travel Waypoint blog.