Moving to Prince Edward Island: health card, driver's licence and taxes

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

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: PEI Health Card. 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 PEI Highway Safety. There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in Prince Edward Island: 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 Prince Edward Island.

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

Online accounts to set up

• MyPEI — One account for Prince Edward Island government services.

Federal accounts explained →

Programs to know about

• Prince Edward Island Child Benefit — Monthly amount per child for lower- and middle-income families, paid with the CCB.
• Child Care Subsidy Program — Lowers childcare costs for eligible families.
• Seniors Independence Initiative — Help paying for practical services that let seniors stay at home.
• AccessAbility Supports — Personal, housing and financial supports for Islanders with disabilities.
• Student Financial Services — One application for federal and PEI loans, grants 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 Prince Edward Island: rights, rent increases and average rents
• Working in Prince Edward Island: minimum wage, standards and wages
• Moving to Prince Edward Island: health card, driver's licence and taxes
• Cost of living in Prince Edward Island: prices, rent, wages and taxes
• Buying a home in Prince Edward Island: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
• Health care in Prince Edward Island: health card, drug plans and dental help
• Studying in Prince Edward Island: tuition, student aid and grants
• Seniors in Prince Edward Island: pensions, supplements and programs
• Taxes in Prince Edward Island: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
• Families in Prince Edward Island: child benefits and family programs
• Immigrating to Prince Edward Island: nominee program, steps and processing times