It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins
From 1 July, eligible Service personnel are now invited to register for a new overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.
Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) is being trialled as a new way to receive a financial contribution towards expenses that arise when you move to or from an overseas permanent assignment in:
• Brunei – 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) and Brunei Garrison Staff (incl. 667 Sqn, 5AAC) only
• USA – British Defence Staff US (BDSUS) administered locations only
• Kenya – British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Garrison Staff only
• Europe/ Rest of World (RoW) – Global Support Organisation (GSO) administered locations only
The new Global Mobility Allowance Calculator (accessible via defnet or Defence Connect) gives a real-time, tailored estimate of the GMA allowance you will receive, and a comparison of GMA trial versus non-trial allowances.
The tool simplifies what would be a complex and time-consuming calculation process and enables you to make informed decisions about your assignment – including considerations on family support, cost of living and financial planning.
The low-down on GMA
- Non-taxable lump sum payment.
- Made up of the maximum rates of existing Disturbance Expense (DE) Overseas, Respite Provision (RP) and Overseas Private Vehicle Provision (OPVP) allowances – dependent on your accommodation status, accompanied status and your assigned location.
- No requirement to provide receipts as evidence to receive it.
- Use it to pay towards what you see as necessary for your overseas assignment.
- JSP 752 provides guidance on the three allowances included in GMA and the types of costs it can contribute towards.
Who can claim GMA?
If you’re a Regular or Full Time Reservist (Full Commitment) starting a 12, 24 or 36-month overseas assignment at a qualifying location, with a Report for Duty (RDD) date from 1 July to 31 December 2025, you can claim GMA.
Trial participants are not eligible to claim DE, OPVP or RP separately and GMA can only be claimed for one overseas assignment, per Service person.
You can choose whether to take part in the GMA trial or not – it is entirely optional.
Why take part in the trial?
The GMA is the first package to simplify allowance policy and delivery, by combining three existing allowances and reducing the administrative burden for the individual and Unit HR.
It is designed to provide greater freedom and choice for deciding what you spend the money on, whilst making the claims process easier for all involved – removing eight JPA touchpoints and greatly reducing HR assurance requirements.
If the trial is considered successful and GMA is introduced as a permanent allowance, over thirty pages of existing policy will be removed and replaced with just one policy for GMA and a technical note for Unit HR. This could also lead to expansion of the concept, to simplify and combine other allowances and – where possible – automate processes.
How to take part
1. Complete and return the GMA registration form – you will receive a link to this from the location’s Administration Centre.
2. Input your details into the Global Mobility Allowance Calculator, accessible via defnet and Defence Connect – if you have any issues using the calculator, your Unit HR team will be able to help.
3. Save your GMA calculation as a PDF and sign and send it to Unit HR, along with a copy of your assignment order – in hard copy or by email, within 12 weeks before or after your Report for Duty Date or Future Availability Date (at the end of your assignment).
4. Following a JPA system update in late July, the allowance will be processed by Unit HR. Trial participants will be able to submit their GMA claims from 1 August 2025.
5. Approved claims will be paid into your bank account, in line with end of month pay timelines.
Trial timeframe
The GMA trial will run from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2028. This timeframe enables Service personnel on three-year assignments to fully complete the trial, and full roll out of GMA will be considered thereafter.
What’s next?
Alongside delivery of the GMA trial, an overarching project to review, streamline and make allowances more accessible is ongoing – aiming to cut the ‘red tape’ and support our collective mission to make Britain safer, secure at home and strong abroad.
This will generate further reviews of other overseas allowances, such as: Local Overseas; Overseas Loan Service; Get You Home (Overseas); European Union Daily Subsistence; and packages for Attachés, Advisors, British Defence Staff and Defence Section Service Support Staff, supported by the Defence Attaché and Loan Service.
Find out more:
- Global Mobility Allowance Trial DIN (on defnet or Defence Connect) – including Frequently Asked Questions
- JSP 752 – Tri-service regulations for expenses and allowances: see Disturbance Expense policy – Chapter 12, Section 1; Overseas Private Vehicle Provision policy – Chapter 9, Section 4; Respite Provision – Chapter 9, Section 5.
- Your Offer provides a range of allowances, benefits, and opportunities to support the unique demands of Service life – for you and your family. Visit Discover My Benefits to see what’s included.
