OHA Guide in 2026
Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is a tax-free monthly payment for U.S. military servicemembers stationed outside the 50 states who live off-base in private housing. Over $1.8 billion is paid in OHA annually, covering approximately 61,000 servicemembers at duty stations across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Unlike BAH (the stateside equivalent), OHA is a cost-reimbursement system - you're reimbursed your actual rent up to a ceiling, plus a flat utility allowance. You can't pocket the difference if your rent is below the ceiling.
The Three Components of OHA
1. Rental Ceiling (Maximum Rent Allowance): The maximum monthly rent the military will reimburse. You're paid your actual rent up to this cap - if your rent is lower, you only receive what you pay. Ceilings are set so that 80% of servicemembers with dependents have their rent fully covered.
2. Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance: A flat monthly payment to cover electricity, gas, water, heating, and minor home repairs. This is paid regardless of your actual utility costs - unlike the rental portion, you keep this full amount even if your bills are lower.
3. Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA): A one-time payment when you first move into private housing overseas. MIHA has several sub-types: MIHA/Miscellaneous (lump sum for appliances, hookups - no receipts needed), MIHA/Rent (realtor fees), MIHA/Security (security upgrades at certain locations), and MIHA/Infectious Disease (window screens, etc. at certain locations).
Important: OHA rental ceilings are set in local currency (euros, yen, won, pounds) but paid in USD. As exchange rates fluctuate, your dollar amount changes - sometimes every pay period. This is normal but makes budgeting trickier than with stateside BAH.
OHA vs. BAH - Key Differences
| Feature | OHA (Overseas) | BAH (Stateside) |
|---|---|---|
| Payment type | Reimburses actual rent (up to ceiling) | Fixed monthly amount |
| Keep the surplus? | No - only paid what you actually spend | Yes - pocket any difference |
| Currency risk | Yes - fluctuates with exchange rate | None |
| Rate changes | Can change every pay period | Annually (January 1) |
| Utility handling | Separate flat allowance | Baked into the single BAH amount |
| Move-in help | Yes - MIHA one-time payment | No equivalent |
| Tax status | 100% tax-free | 100% tax-free |
Who Gets OHA?
Any active-duty servicemember stationed outside the 50 U.S. states who is authorized to live off-base. This includes stations in Germany, Japan, South Korea, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Guam, and other overseas locations across all branches.
Note: Alaska and Hawaii receive BAH, not OHA, even though they're OCONUS moves. U.S. territories like Guam receive OHA.
With vs. Without Dependents
Like BAH, OHA has two rate tiers based on dependency status. The with-dependents rate provides:
Rental ceiling approximately 10% higher than the without-dependents rate - reflecting the need for larger housing for a family.
Utility allowance approximately 25% higher - reflecting higher utility consumption for a household with multiple people.
The number of dependents doesn't matter. A member with a spouse and no children gets the same rate as a member with a spouse and three children.
Toggle between with/without dependents to see the exact difference for your station.
Calculate Your OHA →How Marriage Changes Your OHA
Marriage is the fastest way to increase your OHA. Once you're married and update DEERS, you qualify for the with-dependents rate - roughly 10% more rent ceiling and 25% more utility allowance. For a typical E-5 in Germany, that's an extra $300-$400/month.
If you're in the barracks getting $0 in housing allowance, getting married means moving out and receiving the full with-dependents OHA - often $1,500-$2,500+/month.
Through 406 Proxy Marriage, you can get legally married same business day from anywhere in the world - no leave required, no travel needed. The marriage is recognized by every branch.
OHA or BAH - Which Do I Get Overseas?
This depends on where your family is:
Accompanied tour (spouse overseas with you): You receive OHA at the with-dependents rate for your overseas location.
Unaccompanied tour (spouse stays in the US): You receive BAH at the with-dependents rate based on your spouse's US ZIP code, plus OHA at the without-dependents rate for your overseas station. This dual-allowance situation is very common.
Either way, being married means more housing allowance than being single.
How Exchange Rates Affect OHA
Because OHA ceilings are set in local currency, a strong US dollar means your OHA buys more locally but translates to fewer dollars on your LES - and vice versa. This can cause your OHA amount to swing by hundreds of dollars month to month.
Budgeting tip: many servicemembers set aside their OHA in a separate account and use a rolling average rather than the exact monthly amount. Our calculator shows approximate USD amounts based on early-2025 exchange rates.
How to Apply for OHA
When you arrive at your overseas station and find housing, you'll need to complete DD Form 2367 ("Individual Overseas Housing Allowance Report") and submit it with your signed lease to your finance office. If you qualify for MIHA, you'll also submit DD Form 2556. A new DD Form 2367 is required whenever your housing information changes.
Check with your local housing office before signing a lease - they can confirm your rental ceiling and guide you through the process.
Official Resources
For official, up-to-date OHA rates, visit the DTMO OHA Rate Lookup.