OHA Rates Germany Explained
How the Overseas Housing Allowance works in Germany: rent cap vs. utility allowance, MIHA, and how to make sure a lease fits your rank.
The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is the reason most service members pay little or nothing out of pocket for housing in Germany — if the lease is set up correctly. Here's how it works.
The three pieces of OHA
- Rent cap. For your duty station, rank and dependency status, there's a maximum monthly rent OHA will reimburse. You're paid your actual rent up to that cap.
- Utility/recurring maintenance allowance. A flat monthly amount on top, meant for electricity, heating, water and similar costs — paid regardless of what you actually spend.
- Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA). A one-time payment that helps cover move-in costs typical for the local market.
What this means when you pick an apartment
- A lease at or under your rent cap effectively costs you nothing in rent.
- Because the utility allowance is flat, an all-inclusive rent is financially predictable: if rent plus included utilities fits inside cap + utility allowance, your housing is fully covered with zero paperwork drama.
- Rates change with currency adjustments — the EUR/USD exchange rate matters because you're paid in USD but your lease is in EUR.
How our listings handle it
Every listing on this platform shows an "OHA-compliant for rank X and above" badge, maintained against current Wiesbaden rates. If you tell us your rank and dependency status, we'll tell you straight whether an apartment fits — before you fall in love with it.
Always verify your personal rate with the official DTMO calculator or your finance office; rates are adjusted during the year.
Frequently asked questions
Is OHA use-it-or-lose-it?
Yes, in the sense that you are reimbursed your actual rent up to the cap — you don't pocket the difference between your rent and the maximum. Unlike stateside BAH, OHA pays what you actually spend, capped at your rate.
Does an all-inclusive rent fit OHA?
Yes. OHA has two parts: a rent cap and a separate utility/recurring maintenance allowance. With an all-inclusive lease, the landlord can break out rent and included utilities on the invoice so each part lands in the right OHA bucket — ask for that breakdown before signing.
Where do I find the current OHA rates?
The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) publishes an official OHA calculator — rates depend on your duty location, rank and dependency status, and they're adjusted regularly with exchange rates.
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