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

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

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: MSI (Medical Services Insurance). 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 Registry of Motor Vehicles. There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in Nova Scotia: HST 14%. 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 Nova Scotia.

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

Online accounts to set up

• My NS Account and YourHealthNS — One login for provincial services, and an app for health records and booking.

Federal accounts explained →

Programs to know about

• Nova Scotia Child Benefit — Monthly amount for low- and modest-income families, paid with the CCB.
• Family Pharmacare and Seniors' Pharmacare — Drug coverage with costs based on family income.
• Nova Scotia Student Assistance — One application for federal and Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia: rights, rent increases and average rents
• Working in Nova Scotia: minimum wage, standards and wages
• Moving to Nova Scotia: health card, driver's licence and taxes
• Cost of living in Nova Scotia: prices, rent, wages and taxes
• Buying a home in Nova Scotia: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
• Health care in Nova Scotia: health card, drug plans and dental help
• Studying in Nova Scotia: tuition, student aid and grants
• Seniors in Nova Scotia: pensions, supplements and programs
• Taxes in Nova Scotia: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
• Families in Nova Scotia: child benefits and family programs
• Immigrating to Nova Scotia: nominee program, steps and processing times