Moving to Alberta: health card, driver's licence and taxes

The first steps after arriving in Alberta: health coverage, driver's licence, sales tax, online accounts and benefits.

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: AHCIP (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan). Keep your previous coverage until the new one starts, since there can be a waiting period.
2. Driver's licence and vehicle. Licences and registration are handled by Alberta Registries (registry agents). There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in Alberta: GST 5%. For income tax, the province where you live on December 31 applies for the whole year. Update your address with the CRA.
4. Benefits. File a tax return even with little income: federal and provincial benefits are calculated from it and follow you to your new province.
5. Housing and work. See our guides on renting and working in Alberta.

Official government site ↗ · Source: Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST rates ↗, read on 2026-11-13.

Online accounts to set up

• Alberta.ca Account — Verified digital ID for Alberta services, also accepted for CRA sign-in.
• MyHealth Records — See lab results, medications and immunizations.

Federal accounts explained →

Programs to know about

• Alberta Child and Family Benefit — Quarterly payment for lower-income families with children.
• Alberta Seniors Benefit — Monthly top-up to federal pensions for low-income seniors.
• AISH — Monthly income and health benefits for adults with a permanent medical condition.
• Alberta Adult and Child Health Benefits — Covers drugs, dental and eye care for low-income households.
• Alberta Student Aid — One application for federal and Alberta loans and grants.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures show their source and the date they were read; confirm with the official body before making a decision.

Guides for this province

• Renting in Alberta: rights, rent increases and average rents
• Working in Alberta: minimum wage, standards and wages
• Moving to Alberta: health card, driver's licence and taxes
• Cost of living in Alberta: prices, rent, wages and taxes
• Buying a home in Alberta: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
• Health care in Alberta: health card, drug plans and dental help
• Studying in Alberta: tuition, student aid and grants
• Seniors in Alberta: pensions, supplements and programs
• Taxes in Alberta: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
• Families in Alberta: child benefits and family programs
• Immigrating to Alberta: nominee program, steps and processing times