Belgian legislation, CIAW, fines, software, and best practices, the 2026 guide for every site
Construction is one of the most regulated sectors in Belgium when it comes to time registration. Between CIAW attendance reporting, working-time legislation, CLA-specific overtime rules, and the upcoming 2027 mandatory requirements, getting time registration right is no longer optional, it’s a compliance obligation with real financial consequences.
This guide covers everything construction companies need to know: the legal framework, registration methods, software options, common pitfalls, and a practical implementation plan.
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Quick Navigation
- The Legal Framework for Construction
- Time Registration Methods for Construction
- Choosing Time Registration Software for Construction
- Five Common Time Registration Mistakes in Construction
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Legal Framework for Construction
CIAW: Daily Presence Registration
Check in at Work (CIAW) requires daily electronic registration of every worker on a qualifying construction site. Data is transmitted to the NSSO to combat undeclared work. Fines for non-compliance reach €6,000 per worker per day.
CIAW applies when:
- No subcontractor: project value > €500,000 excl. VAT
- 1 subcontractor: project value > €5,000 excl. VAT
- 2+ subcontractors: always mandatory, no threshold
Everyone on site must be registered: own employees, subcontractor workers, temps, self-employed, and trainees. Registration must happen before work begins, every day.
Working-Time Legislation
Belgian labour law sets limits on working hours, rest periods, and overtime. Construction employers must be able to demonstrate compliance with:
- Maximum weekly working hours (38h standard, with sector-specific flexibility)
- Minimum daily rest (11 consecutive hours)
- Overtime limits and premium calculations per CLA
- Sunday and public holiday work restrictions
Without accurate time records, proving compliance during a labour inspection is impossible.
CLA Overtime Rules (Construction)
Belgian construction CLAs include specific rules for overtime premiums, shift allowances, and travel-time compensation that differ from other sectors. Your time registration system must apply these rules automatically, manual calculation is error-prone and slow.
2027: Mandatory Time Registration Expansion
From 2027, mandatory digital time registration will expand beyond current CIAW/CIAO sectors. Construction companies that invest in digital systems now will be compliant when the new rules take effect, without rushed implementation under deadline pressure.
⚠️ Early preparation pays off: Companies that digitise time registration now benefit from immediate CIAW compliance, payroll accuracy, and operational visibility, plus readiness for 2027 without additional effort.
Time Registration Methods for Construction
Different situations on a construction site call for different registration methods. The best platforms support all three:
| Method | How It Works | Best For | Key Requirement |
| Mobile app | Worker opens app, taps ‘Clock in’. GPS verifies location. | Individual workers on varying sites | WiFi/mobile data required for every registration |
| Site terminal / badge | Worker scans RFID badge at a fixed terminal at the site entrance. | Large sites with a single entry point and many workers | Terminal needs power and connectivity |
| Vehicle hardware | RFID badge in the van + geofence on the site. Registration happens automatically when the vehicle enters. | Teams that travel together to multiple sites per day | Hardware installed in vehicle; geofence configured per site |
📱 Why connectivity is required: Suivo requires WiFi or mobile data for every time registration. This is a deliberate design choice: it ensures data integrity and prevents manipulation of working hours. When registrations can be stored locally and synced later, timestamps become unreliable.
Choosing Time Registration Software for Construction
Not every time tracking tool is built for construction. Here’s what to evaluate:
Must-have features
- CIAW/NSSO integration, automatic transmission to the NSSO as part of the clock-in. Not a separate manual step
- GPS verification, confirms workers are at the correct site. Essential for multi-site operations
- Multi-method registration, app + badge + vehicle hardware to cover all worker types and site conditions
- Construction CLA overtime rules, automatic calculation of premiums, shift allowances, and travel-time compensation
- Subcontractor support, subcontractors and Limosa workers must register through the same system
- Payroll integration, pre-built connections to SD Worx, Partena, Acerta. Validated hours flow directly, no manual entry
Important features
- Scheduling, visual multi-site planning with skills matching and availability
- Absence management, digital leave requests and calendar visibility
- Fleet and asset connection, link workforce data to vehicle tracking and equipment management
- Reporting, labour costs per project, per site, per cost centre
For a detailed platform comparison, see our best time registration tools in Belgium guide. For construction-specific solutions, explore construction solutions.
Five Common Time Registration Mistakes in Construction
1. Treating CIAW and time tracking as separate systems
Many construction companies use one tool for CIAW and another for hours. This doubles admin and creates inconsistencies. The best approach: one clock-in action that handles both CIAW registration and time tracking simultaneously.
2. Relying on paper timesheets
Paper timesheets are filled out from memory at the end of the day or week. Error rates of 8-15% are common. Digital registration at the moment of arrival eliminates this entirely.
3. Ignoring subcontractor registration
Under 2026 due diligence rules, main contractors must verify that all subcontractors are correctly registered. A single platform where subcontractors register through the same system gives you real-time visibility.
4. Not connecting to payroll
Digital time registration that still requires manual entry into the payroll system defeats half the purpose. Pre-built API connections to SD Worx, Partena, or Acerta ensure validated hours flow automatically.
5. Waiting for 2027 to digitise
Companies that implement it now benefit from 12-18 months of operational improvement before the 2027 mandate. Those who wait will implement under deadline pressure, with higher costs and less time for adoption.
Implementation Plan: 4 Weeks to Compliant
Week 1: Setup
- Activate your Suivo account
- Configure your construction sites with RSZ numbers and geofences
- Add worker profiles (INSZ and Limosa numbers)
- Choose registration methods per site (app, terminal, vehicle)
Week 2: Pilot
- Test with 5-10 workers on one site
- Verify GPS accuracy and NSSO data transmission
- Test payroll integration with one cycle
- Collect worker feedback on usability
Week 3: Rollout
- Brief all workers: explain the app, demonstrate one-tap clock-in
- Activate all sites and all workers
- Monitor dashboard daily for missing registrations
Week 4: Optimise
- Run first fully automated payroll cycle
- Adjust geofences if GPS accuracy needs tuning
- Set up reporting: labour costs per project, overtime tracking
- Confirm: zero paper timesheets, full CIAW compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is time registration mandatory for all construction companies?
CIAW is mandatory for qualifying sites (based on project value and subcontracting structure). General working-time record-keeping is required for all employers. From 2027, digital time registration will expand to more sectors and companies.
What happens if I’m not compliant?
CIAW fines reach €6,000 per worker per day. Working-time violations trigger Labour Inspectorate scrutiny. Repeat violations can lead to work stoppages and exclusion from public procurement.
Does Suivo require internet for every registration?
Yes. Suivo requires WiFi or mobile data for every time registration. This prevents data manipulation and ensures accurate, verifiable records. For sites without connectivity, vehicle-based hardware or site terminals with wired connections provide alternatives.
Can subcontractors use the same system?
Yes. Subcontractors are invited to the Suivo platform with their own profiles. Foreign workers register with their Limosa number. All registrations appear in the main contractor’s dashboard for real-time compliance visibility.
How long does implementation take?
Typically 2-4 weeks from contract to fully operational. Week 1: setup. Week 2: pilot. Weeks 3-4: rollout and optimisation. Suivo’s team supports every step.
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