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

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

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: New Brunswick Medicare. 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 Service New Brunswick. There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in New Brunswick: HST 15%. 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 New Brunswick.

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

Online accounts to set up

• MyHealthNB — See test results, immunizations and medications.

Federal accounts explained →

Programs to know about

• New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit — Monthly amount for lower-income families, paid with the CCB.
• Low-Income Seniors' Benefit — Annual payment for seniors who receive the GIS or the Allowance.
• New Brunswick Drug Plan — Drug coverage for residents without private insurance, with income-based premiums.
• Student Financial Services — One application for federal and New Brunswick loans and bursaries.

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