What is the per diem rate for Iraq?

For Erbil the maximum is $276 a day: up to $211 for lodging, plus $65 for meals and incidental expenses. Other locations in the country have their own rates, listed in the table above.

Who sets these rates, and who uses them?

The US Department of State sets per diem rates for every foreign location and revises them monthly. They are binding for US government civilian travel, and many companies, universities and contractors adopt them as their own travel policy limits.

What does the meals and incidentals rate cover?

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and small incidental costs such as tips and laundry. When a meal is provided, the State Department deducts a fixed share: 15% for breakfast, 25% for lunch and 40% for dinner, leaving 20% for incidentals.

Is the lodging rate what a hotel actually costs?

No. It is a ceiling, set from the price of hotels suitable for official travel in that location, and actual costs are reimbursed up to it. A traveler choosing their own hotel will often pay less.

Per diem rates: Iraq

Iraq: as of November 12, 2026, the US State Department's maximum per diem for Erbil is $276 a day, made up of $211 for lodging and $65 for meals and incidental expenses. Anywhere in the country without its own rate falls under “Other”: $329 a day ($247 lodging, $82 meals and incidentals). Rates are set for 3 separate locations.

Maximum per diem · Erbil

$276

Per day, in US dollars. Effective Dec 1, 2011.

Lodging ceiling

$211

Actual hotel cost is reimbursed up to this amount per night.

Meals and incidentals

$65

Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $16
Dinner: $26
Incidentals: $13

Against real prices

Per diem is a ceiling, not a typical spend. Our own model puts a comfortable day of travel in this country at about $176 per person and a mid-range day at $79. See what Iraq costs right now

Iraq: maximum per diem by location, in US dollars
Location	Season	Lodging	Meals & incidentals	Total	Effective
Baghdad	All year	$0	$11	$11	Oct 1, 2004
Erbil	All year	$211	$65	$276	Dec 1, 2011
Other (everywhere else)	All year	$247	$82	$329	Dec 1, 2015

Source: US Department of State, Office of Allowances, foreign per diem rates, retrieved November 13, 2026. Rates are published in US dollars and revised on the first of each month; where a location has seasons, the row that applies today is shown in full strength. Confirm against the official table before filing an expense claim.

Questions people ask

What is the per diem rate for Iraq?: For Erbil the maximum is $276 a day: up to $211 for lodging, plus $65 for meals and incidental expenses. Other locations in the country have their own rates, listed in the table above.
Who sets these rates, and who uses them?: The US Department of State sets per diem rates for every foreign location and revises them monthly. They are binding for US government civilian travel, and many companies, universities and contractors adopt them as their own travel policy limits.
What does the meals and incidentals rate cover?: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and small incidental costs such as tips and laundry. When a meal is provided, the State Department deducts a fixed share: 15% for breakfast, 25% for lunch and 40% for dinner, leaving 20% for incidentals.
Is the lodging rate what a hotel actually costs?: No. It is a ceiling, set from the price of hotels suitable for official travel in that location, and actual costs are reimbursed up to it. A traveler choosing their own hotel will often pay less.

Per diem elsewhere: Middle East

Per diem rates: Iraq