Georgia Per Diem Allowance

Calculate Georgia’s per diem rate based on GSA guidelines to simplify your business travels.

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As a major commercial and logistics hub in the Southeastern United States, Georgia is a key destination for business travel. From the bustling metropolitan area of Atlanta to the historic port city of Savannah and other growing economic centers, travel expenses can vary significantly across the state. 

A clear understanding of per diem rates—the daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidentals—is essential for managing these costs. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the per diem rates for Georgia, relevant state laws, and how to simplify the reimbursement process with modern tools.

Georgia Per Diem Rates

For federal employees on official business, per diem rates in Georgia are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These rates are mandatory for federal travel and are widely used by private companies as a fair and reasonable benchmark for their own travel policies.

For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:

Major Metro Areas 

Georgia's main business centers have specific Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates, with different rates sometimes applying even within the same metro area.

  • Atlanta (Fulton & DeKalb Counties):
    • M&IE: $86 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak rate of $197 per night (January-March) and a rate of $182 per night for all other months.
    • The first and last day of travel M&IE rate is $64.50.
  • Marietta (Cobb County):
    • M&IE: $74 per day
    • Lodging: A flat rate of $126 per night.
  • Augusta (Richmond County):
    • M&IE: $74 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a rate of $110 per night (April-May) and $125 per night for all other months.

Tourist and High-Cost Areas

Key tourist destinations like Savannah also have their own unique, seasonal rates.

  • Savannah (Chatham County):
    • M&IE: $80 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak rate of $176 per night (March-April) and a rate of $147 per night for all other months.

Standard CONUS Rate 

For any county in Georgia not specifically listed by the GSA as a Non-Standard Area (NSA), the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).

Georgia Per Diem Rate Calculator

To find the precise per diem allowance for your trip anywhere in Georgia, our calculator provides instant, accurate results based on the official GSA schedule.

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Your per diem allowance

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Lodging (L)
Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
Total (L + M&IE)
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Lodging (L)
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Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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Total (L + M&IE)
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*For the first and last day of travel, M&lE spend is limited to 75% of its normal, daily allowance.

Georgia GSA Lodging Rates

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Georgia Meals and Incidental Rates

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Some Important Georgia Per Diem Laws

For private employers, the legal framework in Georgia regarding expense reimbursement is guided primarily by federal law and company policy, as the state has minimal specific regulations on this topic.

  • No State Law Mandating Expense Reimbursement: Georgia law does not require private employers to reimburse employees for business-related travel expenses. The decision to pay a per diem or reimburse actual costs is based entirely on the employer's internal policy or employment agreement.
  • Company Policy is Key: While not mandated by law, if an employer establishes a policy to reimburse expenses, that policy creates a binding contract. An employee could potentially sue for breach of contract if the employer fails to follow its own written rules.
  • Federal Minimum Wage Applies: Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, which is lower than the federal rate. Therefore, almost all businesses in Georgia must adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
  • Federal FLSA Protections: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides the primary legal protection for employees. This law ensures that required business expenses paid by an employee do not cause their effective hourly pay to fall below the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage.

Georgia Per Diem Laws vs Federal Law

The per diem rules for a private company employee in Georgia are fundamentally different from the GSA system that governs federal employees.

Primary Applicability

  • Federal Law (GSA): Mandatory for all U.S. federal government employees on official business in Georgia.
  • Georgia Law: State law does not set per diem rules for private employers. The primary legal considerations are the employer's own policies and the federal FLSA minimum wage protection.

Rate Setting and Usage

  • Federal Law (GSA): The GSA sets specific, non-negotiable per diem rates for various locations in Georgia that federal agencies must use.
  • Georgia Law: The state does not set or regulate per diem rates. Private companies have the flexibility to design their own travel reimbursement policies. Using GSA rates is a common business practice for fairness but is not a legal requirement.

Legal Focus

  • Federal Law (GSA): Aims to create a uniform, cost-controlled system for all government travel.
  • Georgia Law: Relies on employment agreements and federal law. If a company promises reimbursement, it is expected to adhere to its policy.

How Fyle Can Automate Per Diem and Expense Tracking

From the corporate headquarters in Atlanta to manufacturing plants across the state, managing travel expenses in Georgia requires a system that is efficient, consistent, and compliant with your company's policies. Fyle’s intelligent expense management platform is designed to handle these challenges seamlessly.

Fyle helps you master Georgia per diem and expense tracking:

  • Automated and Accurate Rate Application: Fyle automatically applies the correct GSA per diem rates for any destination in Georgia, whether it's for Atlanta, Savannah, or a location covered by the standard rate. It instantly accounts for seasonal changes and the 75% M&IE rule.
  • Enforce Your Company’s Policy: Since your internal policy is the binding standard in Georgia, consistent enforcement is crucial. Fyle allows you to build your specific rules directly into the system, automatically flagging any submissions that are out of policy.
  • Real-Time Expense Capture for Travelers: Empower your employees to report expenses on the go. A quick photo of a receipt from Fyle’s mobile app or a forwarded email is all it takes to create an expense entry, eliminating post-trip administrative work.
  • Proactive Compliance Engine: Fyle’s platform checks every expense against your policies before it gets submitted. This saves your finance team countless hours of manual review and ensures every expense report is accurate from the start.
  • IRS-Compliant Mileage Tracking: For employees driving across Georgia, Fyle’s Google Maps-powered mileage tracker provides an easy and accurate way to log trips for reimbursement.
  • Direct Accounting Integration: Fyle syncs seamlessly with all major accounting software, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct. All approved per diem and travel data flows directly into your general ledger, saving time and ensuring financial accuracy.

With Fyle, you can confidently manage your Georgia travel expense process, ensuring you meet your policy obligations while providing a modern, hassle-free experience for your employees.

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The content on this page is for informational use. As legal standards and per diem rates are subject to change, users should verify current details with official GSA or government resources. This information does not serve as financial or legal counsel.