How Should Mobility Policies Adapt to Reduced Choice and Rising Costs Ahead of 2026?

‍Duration of stay allowances

If accommodation availability tightens, some employees may need longer stays in temporary housing. Policies with strict duration limits could benefit from flexibility or graduated allowances based on role or move type.

Policy definitions for accommodation types

Where policies specify serviced apartments, minimum standards, or property categories, organisations may need to broaden definitions temporarily. Updating policy language to reflect market fluctuations can help prevent repeated exceptions.

Arrival and onboarding timelines

Time-driven entitlements, such as home search scheduling or household goods delivery windows, might be affected by congestion or limited appointment availability. Policies may require contingency buffers or alternative sequencing options.

‍Exception frameworks

Many programmes depend on case-by-case exceptions. In a year driven by increased demand, exceptions might rise. Formalising the framework can:

·    Maintain fairness

·    Support consistent decision-making

·    Prevent unnecessary policy drift

·    Protect budget governance

A structured, documented exception process may be one of the most effective tools for 2026.

What policy questions should programme owners explore now?

To prepare for a potentially constrained year, mobility leaders may wish to explore:

·    Do current caps, allowances, or ceilings accurately reflect 2026 conditions?

·    Should short-term accommodation budgets be tiered by role, city, or assignment length?

·    Are policy definitions flexible enough to adapt to market shifts?

·    Do timelines assume conditions that may no longer be valid?

·    Is there a clear process for temporary exceptions that ensures fairness and control?

·    How should intern and graduate policies adapt if peak demand coincides with arrival periods?

These questions assist in pinpointing where minor policy adjustments can safeguard both the employee experience and programme integrity.

What practical policy steps support resilience in 2026?

Programmes may benefit from:

·    Establishing a temporary 2026 policy addendum instead of rewriting the core policy

·    Defining budget tolerance ranges for specific move types

·    Creating a standardised exception approval process

·    Introducing flexible wording for accommodation categories

·    Adjusting time-based entitlements to include reasonable buffers

·    Reviewing intern and graduate frameworks where seasonal demand may overlap

These steps maintain structure while allowing programmes to operate effectively during a year of reduced choice.

Explore further planning considerations

This article provides a policy-focused overview. The full guide includes:

·    City-level triggers and indicators

·    Structured exception model templates

·    In-depth analysis of budget implications

·    Planning timelines for each type of assignment

Download the guide here.

If you wish to explore how these considerations relate to your programme, you can contact your local K2 office here.

For ongoing support, please contact your account manager.