TQSA in Stuttgart: A Guide for DoD Civilians

Hands holding receipts next to a calculator on a desk

If you are a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian moving to Stuttgart, you usually start out in a hotel or other temporary quarters. The allowance that can help with those costs is the Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA). This guide explains what it is, how it differs from the military TLA, the usual steps and who to ask in Stuttgart.

TQSA is not automatic. Your agency decides whether you get it, for how long and how much. Every rule on this page shows the official page it comes from and the month we checked it.

What TQSA is

The rule

An allowance for when you first arrive at post or are about to leave it

  • TQSA is an allowance for the reasonable cost of temporary quarters, meals and laundry for you and your family members.
  • It covers up to 90 days after you first arrive at a new post in a foreign area, or until you move into permanent quarters, if that is earlier.
  • It can also cover up to 30 days just before your final departure from post, after you have had to move out of your residence quarters.
  • If your agency finds compelling reasons beyond your control, each of these periods can be extended by up to 60 more days.
  • You cannot receive the post (cost-of-living) allowance for the same time you receive TQSA.

Sources: DSSR 120 (TQSA), U.S. Department of State: TQSA Checked: Nov 2026

Who can get it

The rule

Eligibility and the agency’s decision

  • TQSA is one of the quarters allowances in the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR), which apply to U.S. government civilian employees in foreign areas.
  • Quarters allowances may be granted to employees recruited in the United States. Employees recruited outside the United States can qualify only under extra conditions, for example a prior U.S. government or U.S. firm job that included return transportation to the United States.
  • DoD policy says overseas allowances are not entitlements and are not granted automatically just because someone meets the eligibility requirements.

Sources: DSSR 031 (eligibility), DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1250 Checked: Nov 2026

If you work for a contractor, these rules are written for government employees. Your employer and your contract decide what lodging support you get, so ask them.

TQSA or TLA?

Both help with temporary lodging when you arrive in Stuttgart, but they are different allowances for different people.

  • TQSA is for DoD and other U.S. government civilians. It comes from DSSR section 120 and, for DoD, DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1250. In Stuttgart, the civilian personnel office (CPAC) is the point of contact.
  • TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) is for service members and their dependents on a permanent move overseas. It comes from the DoD Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A, Chapter 68, and the garrison publishes the local rules. In Stuttgart, you start with the Housing Office.

Sources: DSSR 120 (TQSA), DTMO: Temporary Lodging Allowance, USAG Stuttgart Housing Checked: Nov 2026

Our allowances guide explains TLA and the local Stuttgart rules in more detail.

How it is calculated

The rule

A share of the per diem rate, or your actual costs if lower

  • You are reimbursed the lesser of your actual allowable expenses and a maximum based on the per diem rate for the post.
  • For the first 30 days, the maximum is 75% of the post’s per diem rate for the first occupant (the employee or a family member age 12 or over), 50% for each additional occupant age 12 or over and 40% for each child under 12.
  • For days 31 to 60 the shares drop to 65%, 45% and 35%. For days 61 to 90 they are 55%, 40% and 30%. On arrival, an authorized extension is paid at the days 61 to 90 rates. Before final departure, TQSA runs up to 30 days at the first-30-day rates, and an authorized extension uses 65%, 45% and 35% for the first extra 30 days and 55%, 40% and 30% for the second.
  • Allowable expenses are lodging, meals, laundry and dry cleaning, with tips, fees and taxes. Local transportation is not covered by TQSA.
  • DoD policy says TQSA is not meant to reimburse 100% of your costs.

Sources: DSSR 120 (TQSA), DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1250 Checked: Nov 2026

We do not list amounts here, because the per diem rate changes. You can look up the current rate for Stuttgart on the U.S. Department of State: foreign per diem rates page, and the State Department offers a TQSA worksheet (DSSR 120) to work out your own figures.

Where you stay on TQSA

The rule

What counts as temporary quarters

  • TQSA is meant for adequate but not elaborate accommodations in a hotel, pension or other transient-type quarters, plus reasonable meals and laundry.
  • The temporary quarters must be within reasonable proximity of the post.
  • An agency or post may instead provide temporary quarters directly, or limit the number of TQSA days.
  • DoD policy says an employee may be paid TQSA for commercial lodging even if adequate government transit quarters are available.

Sources: DSSR 120 (TQSA), DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1250 Checked: Nov 2026

A furnished apartment can be one option, as long as your agency accepts it as temporary quarters for you. Ask CPAC before you book, and make sure the provider gives you itemized bills. See furnished apartments in Stuttgart for what is available in the city.

Typical steps

The rule

From your offer to your last claim

  1. Before you travel: ask your gaining HR office or CPAC whether TQSA is part of your offer and orders, and how many days your agency allows.
  2. Ask about an advance: an advance of funds for TQSA is possible. The first advance is limited to the maximum for the first 30 days.
  3. Arrival: TQSA starts on the day you arrive at post, or the day you first pay for temporary lodging, if that is later.
  4. While you are in temporary quarters: keep lodging receipts and a daily record of what you spend on meals, laundry and dry cleaning. The meal and laundry costs are claimed with your certified statement.
  5. Claim: you claim TQSA on Standard Form 1190 (SF-1190). You tick TQSA (DSSR 120) in item 21a, enter the start and end dates and the amount you claim, and you attach the receipts.
  6. End: TQSA on arrival ends on the 91st day (unless extended), when you leave temporary quarters or when you move into permanent quarters, whichever comes first.
  7. Leaving Stuttgart: if you must vacate your residence before your final departure, ask your agency about TQSA for up to 30 days before you leave.

Sources: DSSR 120 (TQSA), DSSR 113.2 (advance of funds), GSA: SF-1190 Checked: Nov 2026

Also on your list

Housing in-processing also applies to civilians

  • All personnel on PCS orders to Stuttgart, military and civilian, email a copy of their orders with all amendments and a completed DD1746 (Application for Assignment to Housing) to the Housing Services Office.
  • DoD civilians must also complete in-processing through the garrison’s Central Processing Facility (CPF).

Sources: USAG Stuttgart Housing, USAG Stuttgart CPF Checked: Nov 2026

What often goes wrong

Common pitfalls

Assumptions that cost money

This is editorial advice, except where a source is named:

  • Booking temporary quarters before asking CPAC what your agency allows.
  • Not keeping receipts. DoD policy says that if an employee does not submit receipts, allowance payments are suspended until the documents are submitted.
  • Expecting TQSA to cover every euro. It has maximums for each 30-day period and is not meant to reimburse 100% of your costs.
  • Counting on TQSA for taxis or rental cars. Local transportation is not covered.

Sources: DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 1250, DSSR 120 (TQSA) Checked: Nov 2026

Who to ask

Back to TDY & PCS in Stuttgart

Moving to Stuttgart is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense or USAG Stuttgart. Spotted something outdated? Tell us: info@movingtostuttgart.com