barrier to entry
noun[C]
ukuspluralbarriers to entry(alsoentry barrier)COMMERCE,ECONOMICS
something, such asofficialrulesor highcosts, that makes itdifficultfor apersonorcompanyto get into aparticulartypeofbusiness:
Capitalcostsareseenas thekeybarriertoentry.
Lack ofhealthinsuranceis asignificantbarriertoentryfor the nextgenerationofcommercialfishermen.