Introduction: Why everyone’s talking about Check-in-at-Work
If you work in construction, cleaning, or industrial services in Belgium, you’ve probably heard of Check-in-at-Work (CIAW), the mandatory system that registers the presence of every worker on site.
It’s not just a formality. CIAW is a legal obligation enforced by the NSSO (National Social Security Office) to ensure transparency, safety, and compliance on Belgian job sites.
Failing to register correctly can lead to serious fines, up to €6,000 per violation and repeated inspection warnings.
Let’s break down exactly when it’s mandatory, what’s changing in 2025, and how to stay compliant automatically.
What is Check-in-at-Work (CIAW)?
CIAW is an electronic attendance registration system required for specific sectors and worksites in Belgium. Each worker – whether employee, subcontractor, or self-employed – must register their start of work on a qualifying site before beginning tasks.
The information is sent to the NSSO and includes:
- Company and employee identification
- Date and time of arrival
- Worksite location or site code
This creates a legal digital record proving that all workers are declared and insured.
When is Check-in-at-Work mandatory?
CIAW is mandatory for:
- Construction and building sites worth more than €500,000 (excluding VAT)
- Cleaning services and certain industrial maintenance activities
- Demolition, infrastructure, and renovation projects meeting specific criteria
In other words, if your company or subcontractors perform work on these types of sites, you must register every worker present, including subcontractors and temporary staff.
Even foreign workers temporarily active in Belgium fall under CIAW obligations.
What’s changing: Check-in-and-Out-at-Work (CIAO) in 2025
From January 2025, the CIAW system will evolve into Check-in-and-Out-at-Work (CIAO).
The goal: more complete traceability and improved safety oversight.
The key changes:
- Both arrival and departure times must be logged.
- The system will apply to cleaning and facility services companies.
- Real-time reporting to the NSSO becomes mandatory.
This means companies must upgrade to full working-time tracking making automation more important than ever.
The risks of manual registration
Many companies still rely on manual check-ins through paper lists or late Excel uploads.
That approach carries real risks:
- Missed or late registrations → NSSO fines
- Incorrect IDs or site codes → rejected files
- Lack of audit trail → failed inspections
- No link to payroll or project costing
Even small mistakes can trigger administrative chaos and hours of manual rework.
How Suivo automates CIAW & CIAO compliance
Suivo’s Time Registration & Absence platform integrates CIAW and CIAO compliance directly into your daily workflow:
- Mobile app for easy check-in/out on site or in vehicle
- Automatic registration via badges or site poles
- Direct NSSO data sync, no file exports needed
- Audit-proof reporting for inspections
- Integration with ERP and payroll for seamless processing
Once configured, Suivo handles all registrations in real time automatically and accurately.
“We haven’t missed a single CIAW registration since switching to Suivo.
It’s the first time compliance feels effortless.”
How to stay audit-proof in 2025
To prepare for CIAO, make sure you:
- Digitalise all time registrations (hours + absences).
- Connect your sites and vehicles to a central system.
- Automate Check-in/Check-out processes with Suivo.
- Integrate with payroll/ERP to eliminate double entry.
- Train teams early so compliance becomes routine, not a scramble.
The companies that prepare now will avoid fines, reduce admin, and stay ahead of new NSSO requirements.
Compliance doesn’t have to be complex
Yes, Check-in-at-Work is mandatory in Belgium, and from 2025, Check-in-and-Out-at-Work will take it even further.
But with Suivo, staying compliant happens automatically.
Stay compliant, without the paperwork.
Book your free expert session and see how Suivo helps you meet every CIAW and CIAO obligation automatically.
