The Real Budget for Your First Few Months in Quebec
Credit deposits with no credit history, a winter coat, furnishing an empty apartment: the startup costs most immigration guides don't mention.
This page describes the general structure of the system, which stays stable. But exact thresholds, fees, and specific program statuses can change within weeks — the PEQ, for example, was suspended and then reopened in 2026, and CAQ fees changed twice within the same year. Before relying on a specific figure or date below, confirm the current status on quebec.ca/immigration or canada.ca.
Why this budget surprises even well-prepared people
Most immigration resources focus on administrative steps — CSQ, permits, RAMQ — and far less on an equally important reality: the first few months often cost noticeably more than expected, because of a series of small startup expenses that add up quickly. Before you even get there, two traps show up during departure prep itself — see our French-language guide on remote housing scams and packing mistakes if you haven't booked a flight yet.
No credit history: the invisible trap
Without a Canadian credit history, several providers require a security deposit before granting you service — sometimes several hundred dollars, refundable after a period of regular payments (usually 6 to 12 months). Our French-language guide to the Canadian credit score system covers how the Equifax/TransUnion scale actually works and how to build history fastest — the most common cases in the meantime:
- Cell phone: a security deposit is common with major providers if you have no credit history, or you may need to pay for a more expensive pay-as-you-go plan instead.
- Electricity (Hydro-Québec): a deposit may be required without a credit or payment history in Quebec.
- Credit card: the first cards accessible without a credit history are often secured cards, where you deposit the amount of your own credit limit in advance.
Building a credit history takes time — starting early with a secured card or a small loan makes future steps (renting a better apartment, financing a car) considerably easier.
The "newcomer" bank account: the fastest way in
The good news: every major bank now offers a dedicated newcomer program built specifically around this chicken-and-egg problem — none of them require a Canadian credit history to open an account or get a first credit card, usually with a modest starting limit.
- Desjardins, the co-operative with the deepest branch network in Quebec, offers a newcomer chequing account for people 18 and older with no monthly fees and access to a credit card with no credit history required — often the most natural choice for someone settling specifically in Quebec.
- RBC (Newcomer / Privilège Plus program), Scotiabank (StartRight program, with multilingual service), CIBC (Intelli Account, including a service that lets you open the account before you even arrive) and BMO (New to Canada program) all offer comparable programs, each with its own temporary fee waivers and international transfer perks.
- Several of these institutions let you open an account remotely, from your home country, before your flight even leaves — worth starting early rather than handling everything after landing, exhausted, off an overnight flight.
Sign-up bonuses, fee waivers, and exact conditions change frequently across institutions and over time — compare current offers directly on each bank's site before choosing.
Winter isn't just a matter of style
An adequate winter coat, insulated boots, thermal layers: for someone arriving from a temperate or warm climate, a complete winter wardrobe for one adult is a real startup expense, often underestimated before the first snowfall. Rather than buying new at a specialty store, a few options cut the cost significantly: Decathlon and Sportium offer reasonably priced technical gear, while quality thrift stores like Renaissance or Village des Valeurs (Value Village) let you find brand-name coats for a fraction of the retail price. If money is especially tight, a community organization from the TCRI network (see our French-language guide to Accompagnement Québec and community organizations) can also point you toward donated or very low-cost coats.
Furnishing an empty apartment
Unlike some countries where rented apartments include basic appliances, the norm in Quebec varies: the stove is generally provided by the landlord, but the refrigerator is not always included — worth explicitly confirming before signing a lease, since an unincluded fridge is an expense of several hundred dollars that few newcomers expect. The secondhand market (Marketplace, Kijiji, thrift and reuse stores) is very active in Quebec and lets you furnish an entire apartment affordably.
No security deposit — but the first month, yes
A Quebec-specific legal quirk worth knowing: unlike several other provinces and countries, a landlord cannot require a security deposit (a "second month's rent") in Quebec — this practice is prohibited by law. You will, however, generally need to pay the first month's rent in advance, and sometimes provide proof of income or a guarantor if you lack local credit or employment history.
The first-year expense calendar
| Period | Typical expenses |
|---|---|
| First month | Rent, basic furniture, opening accounts (bank, cell phone, Hydro-Québec) |
| First 3 months | Private health insurance if applicable (RAMQ waiting period), winter gear if arriving in fall |
| First year | Permit/document renewals, potential professional recognition fees, land transfer tax if buying property |
Tools for planning
Use our French-language city comparator to compare housing costs before choosing where to settle, our tax calculator to estimate your real net income, and our RAMQ guide to plan health coverage for your first few months.