Stateside, a VA rating can get you into the commissary. Overseas, the host nation has a say.
Space-A travel
Military retirees fly Space-A in Category VI, including to overseas destinations. Veterans rated 100% permanent and total also fly in Category VI, but only within the continental U.S. and to and from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. Their dependents aren't eligible.
Commissary, exchange and MWR
Since 2020, veterans with a service-connected rating, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs and primary family caregivers can shop on U.S. installations. Overseas, access isn't guaranteed. Host-nation laws and Status of Forces Agreements often limit or prevent it.
| Germany | Retirees need a German customs "Pink Card" and can buy non-rationed items only. |
|---|---|
| South Korea | Retiree purchases are rationed with monthly caps. |
| Everywhere else | Ask the installation's Pass and ID office. |
Retired? See the military retirees checklist.
Get answers from vets who've done it
The VA Benefits Abroad channel is free. Ask about your country, your claim or your hospital.
What to carry
VA says eligible veterans don't need to apply for commissary and exchange privileges. At checkout you show your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), or a letter from VA, along with your passport or driver's license. VA also notes that overseas commissary privileges vary from country to country.
- Your VHIC, or a printed VA letter showing your eligibility
- Your passport
- Retirees: your retiree ID card, plus any host-nation document the base requires
Your first week near a base
- Visit the Pass and ID office or visitor center. Ask what you can access with your ID, and what registration you need.
- Ask about host-nation rules. Customs cards, ration limits and shopping caps depend on the country.
- Find the Retiree Activities Office, if the base has one. Volunteers there know the local rules.
- Find the passenger terminal if you plan to fly Space-A, and ask how sign-up works there.
Space-A: practical tips
- Seats are never guaranteed, and Category VI boards after higher categories. Be flexible on dates.
- Carry a valid passport and any visa your destination needs.
- Keep money set aside for a commercial ticket in case you get stuck.
- Veterans rated 100% permanent and total can't fly Space-A to foreign countries, only within the U.S. and its listed territories.
Common mistakes
- Assuming stateside access rules apply overseas. The host nation and the local commander decide.
- Showing up without a VHIC or VA letter, or with only a digital copy on your phone.
- Bringing dependents of a 100% P&T veteran on Space-A. They aren't eligible.
- Planning a trip home around a Space-A seat with no backup.
Who to ask
| Base access | The installation's Pass and ID office |
|---|---|
| Your VHIC or VA letter | VA at 1-800-827-1000, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern |
Rules change base by base. Join the free OCONUS Veterans community to ask members near your installation what they can use.
How this helps in real life
Example scenario (composite, not a real person): A veteran with a 40% rating moves near a base in Italy. Before her first shopping trip she stops at the Pass and ID office with her VHIC and passport and learns what that installation allows for veterans who live off base. She doesn't assume her stateside privileges carry over.
Questions about your situation?
Ask in the VA Benefits Abroad channel. Vets who've filed from your country answer fast.
Last reviewed November 2026. Information only. Confirm with the official sources.
