Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) in Romania — Game Development Studio Formation Guide
Prioritize jurisdictions with strong Intellectual Property (IP) protection and favorable R&D tax credits. If you plan to publish on Steam, Epic, or mobile app stores, consider the withholding tax treaties between your company's jurisdiction and the US to avoid double taxation on royalties.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
16.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$100
Annual Fee
$0
Forming a Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) in Romania as a Game Development Studio means a total tax burden of 16.0% and an official formation cost of $100. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $2,800
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $1,600
Why Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) for Game Development Studio?
A business model focused on designing, developing, and monetizing video games for PC, console, mobile, or VR platforms. Revenue typically comes from premium sales, in-app purchases, subscriptions, or publisher funding.
Ideal for
- Indie game developers
- Mobile app creators
- VR/AR studios
- Esports game developers
Challenges to watch
- Long development cycles with delayed revenue
- High platform fees (e.g., 30% on Steam/Apple)
- Complex international withholding taxes on royalties
- Protecting intellectual property and game assets
Key decision criteria
- US tax treaty network for royalty withholding taxes
- Availability of R&D tax incentives or video game tax reliefs (VGTR)
- Strong IP assignment laws for contractors and employees
- Access to global payment gateways for direct sales
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $250,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 21%. Registration threshold: 395,000 RON. Non-resident providers of digital services to Romanian consumers must register for and charge 21% VAT, typically via the EU OSS scheme.
Banking & payments for Game Development Studio
Opening a corporate bank account in Romania can be moderately difficult for non-resident founders due to strict KYC and AML regulations. Traditional banks usually require a physical visit or a notarized Power of Attorney, while fintechs like Revolut Business offer smoother remote alternatives.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Revolut Business
A highly popular digital alternative in Romania offering multi-currency accounts and remote onboarding for registered companies.
Wise
Excellent for international transactions and holding multiple currencies, with a fully remote setup process.
Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) formation steps
Reserve the company name with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC), ensuring it includes the mandatory 'SCA' designation.
Draft the Articles of Association (Act Constitutiv) detailing the general and limited partners, share capital distribution, and management structure.
Deposit the minimum share capital of 90,000 RON into a corporate bank account and obtain a bank deposit certificate.
Secure a registered office address in Romania, providing the lease agreement and the landlord's written consent.
Prepare declarations on honor and notarized specimen signatures for the general partners (administrators) and limited partners.
Submit the complete incorporation dossier to the ONRC for registration and publication in the Official Gazette of Romania.
Register for tax purposes (VAT, corporate income tax) and submit the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration within the legal timeframe.
Game Development Studio FAQ
Why does the US tax treaty matter for game developers?
Major platforms like Steam and Apple are US-based. Without a favorable tax treaty, the IRS may withhold up to 30% of your US sales revenue. Incorporating in a jurisdiction with a 0% or low treaty rate for royalties is crucial.
Should I incorporate before starting development?
Yes, incorporating early ensures that all IP created by founders and contractors is legally owned by the company from day one, making it much easier to secure publishers or investors later.
What are R&D tax credits?
Many countries offer tax incentives for software development. Jurisdictions like the UK, Canada, or France provide specific tax reliefs for video game production, which can significantly lower your effective tax rate or provide cash rebates.
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Related guides
Complete Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) guide
Taxes, requirements, banking, compliance
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One-time and annual cost breakdown
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