Ireland - The Gateway to the EU for Gaming Companies

The Gaming Industry

As the global gaming industry continues its rapid growth, companies are increasingly looking for strategic entry points into the European Union (EU). Ireland has emerged as a premier destination, not just for its favourable corporate tax landscape, but also for its strong infrastructure, government-backed support, and skilled talent pool.

Barriers to Entry in the EU Gaming Market

While the opportunity is vast, entering and operating in the EU market comes with notable challenges:

• Regulatory Complexity: The EU has strict compliance requirements around data protection (GDPR), employment law, and digital content distribution.

• Taxation and Financial Compliance: Differences in corporate tax regimes, VAT treatment for digital goods, and cross-border payroll requirements can create significant friction for non-EU companies.

• Local Hiring and Payroll Setup: Hiring in a new jurisdiction requires knowledge of local employment law, payroll taxes, pension obligations, and reporting.

• Access to Capital and Support Networks: Breaking into a new region without established support systems or local connections can slow down growth and innovation.

How Ireland Helps Reduce These Barriers

Do you know that Ireland provides several solutions for gaming and digital media companies looking to overcome these hurdles?

Some of the key ones are highlighted below:

• A Clear, English-Speaking Regulatory Environment: As the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone, Ireland offers transparency and ease of doing business within an EU framework.

• Enterprise Ireland and State Support: Agencies like Enterprise Ireland provide financial backing, market-entry grants, R&D funding, and strategic advice to high-potential companies.

• Infrastructural Readiness: With world-class connectivity, co-working hubs, and access to incubators, companies can establish a local presence quickly and efficiently.

• Skilled Graduate Talent Pool: With a steady stream of qualified candidates from Irish universities, companies face fewer barriers when building high-performance technical teams.

VOID Interactive’s Success Story

VOID Interactive, creators of the tactical shooter Ready or Not, illustrate how these barriers can be effectively addressed with the right strategy and partners.

We support VOID Interactive as their full-service professional advisors in the following ways:

• Full Payroll Services

• Corporate Tax Filings and Advisory

• Income Tax Compliance for Key Personnel

• Strategic Tax Planning

Turn Challenges Into Competitive Advantage with Nathan Trust

Expanding into a new market brings complexity - but with the right partner, it becomes a strategic advantage. At Nathan Trust, we’ve helped companies like VOID Interactive navigate Ireland’s regulatory landscape, access State support, and build a fully compliant, tax-efficient presence at the heart of the EU.

Whether you're a fast-growing gaming studio or a tech company planning your next move, our team provides end-to-end support - from payroll and tax compliance to strategic advisory and grant eligibility. Let us help you turn Ireland’s opportunity into your competitive edge.