Video Game Industry in Belgium: Focus on Tax Shelter

Since the first video game was developed in 1985, the video game industry has gained significant momentum. Today, video games are more accessible than ever, and chances are, you’ve played one on your smartphone, console, or laptop. This widespread accessibility represents a substantial opportunity for the industry, which includes many actors such as publishers, distributors, and retailers—but not only!

Governments, like the Belgian government, play a big role too. They nurture the industry, support local partners, and create amazing opportunities. With the help of local associations and organizations like WALGA and CLICK, they’ve been cheering on our local studios in Wallonia. Thanks to their efforts, the number of game studios has doubled from 20 to more than 40, and several universities are now offering top-notch education programs in game development. While this is already a major boost for the industry, we all know that developing and publishing video games can be quite costly: That’s where Belgium’s Tax Shelter comes in.

What’s a Tax Shelter?

Long story short, a tax shelter is a special financial tool designed to encourage the production of audiovisual pieces, including video games. Since January of last year (2023), Belgium offers this incentive to both Belgian and foreign companies based in Belgium, or working with Belgian studios. Essentially, it helps companies save on taxes when they invest in game development, making it more affordable and attractive to bring creative projects to life.

What are the Advantages?

Belgium’s tax shelter offers some perks for local and international. On average, you can get back about 25% (WALGA) of your total production budget through tax savings. And it’s not limited to Belgium—expenses across the whole European Economic Area are eligible.

Plus, the grant is paid upfront right when you start your project, which helps get things rolling smoothly. And here’s the kicker: you keep all the revenue from your game and fully own your intellectual property (IP). This means you get to enjoy the financial benefits and have complete control over your creative work. 

So, if you’re planning your next game, why not consider Wallonia? This region in Belgium has everything you need—exceptional talent, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and some fantastic financial perks. I also highly encourage you to read more about it on WALGA and get in touch with them for more information!