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Accounting and invoicing for game developers

Contract work for studios, own games, grants, platform payouts and licences: indie developers have income from several sources and long phases without revenue. Saldiqo writes invoices for contract work, matches platform payouts and records assets, engines and licences.

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What comes up for game developers

Long development, late income

A game takes months to years. Contract work finances the own project.

Several sources of income

Platform payouts, grants, publisher advances and contract jobs run in parallel.

Assets and licences

Engines, plug-ins, assets and music are costs that should be assigned to a game.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Contract work by invoiceMilestones, hours and flat fees as lines.
  • Cost centre per gameIncome and expenses per project.
  • Match payoutsUpload the bank statement and separate by source.
  • Record licencesReceipts by phone photo.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Gameplay programming, 15 person days
  • Milestone 2: vertical slice
  • Prototype development, flat fee
  • Engine licence as per receipt
  • Audio integration, hours
  • Publisher advance, part payment

Tax and invoicing in Cyprus

What applies to invoices in Cyprus, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Rates 19 %, 9 %, 5 % and 3 %, plus 0 % until 31 December 2026 for infant milk, nappies, hygiene products and fresh fruit and vegetables.
VAT registration
The threshold is €15,600 of taxable turnover over 12 months, or expected within the next 30 days. If you sell services to businesses in other EU countries, you generally register from the first sale. Until you are registered, Saldiqo leaves VAT off and adds up your turnover.
What goes on an invoice
Even businesses that are not VAT registered must issue invoices and receipts. Companies show their name, HE number, the words “private company” where they apply, and their registered office. Notes such as reverse charge appear in Greek and English.
Invoice timing
Issue invoices within 30 days.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate. Public bodies accept e-invoices (Peppol BIS 3.0) and suppliers send them voluntarily. EU rules follow from 1 July 2030.
VAT returns
VAT4 returns are filed online through TFA, quarterly with staggered periods, by the 10th of the second month after the period, moved to the next working day if it falls on a weekend. Saldiqo does not file returns.
Record keeping
Plan for 10 years. The minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 years, and OSS records 10 years.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is 10.40 %, plus €40 compensation between businesses.
Languages
Use Saldiqo in Greek or English and send invoices in either language.

Frequently asked questions

Can I evaluate games separately?

Yes, with cost centres per game.

How do I treat grants?

You record them as income. How they are treated for tax you clear with your tax adviser.

Do game developers in Cyprus have to charge VAT?

Once they are registered, yes. The threshold is €15,600 over 12 months, or expected within 30 days. Services to businesses in other EU countries require registration from the first sale.

Do game developers in Cyprus need e-invoicing?

No. Public bodies accept e-invoices through Peppol and suppliers use it voluntarily. EU rules follow from July 2030, so PDF invoices remain fine today.

How long should game developers keep invoices?

Plan for 10 years: the minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 and OSS records 10. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

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Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.