Belgium to expand mandatory workplace time registration

Belgium is expanding its mandatory workplace attendance registration requirements. Under the Programme Law of 30 May 2026, the rules will extend to work on immovable property at sites where the total value of the work is €500,000 or more, excluding VAT. This expansion specifically includes major construction worksites and deliveries of ready-mixed concrete, though cleaning activities are excluded.

Starting in 2027, workers—including employees, self-employed individuals, temporary workers, and trainees—must use the national ‘Check In and Out at Work’ system to register their arrival and departure in real time. While workers are responsible for self-registering, employers must provide the necessary means to ensure compliance.

A study by Acerta involving 304 decision-makers indicates that while many Belgian companies are prepared, opinions on the mandate are divided. Approximately 42.8% of employers oppose the measure, often citing a preference for trust-based work relationships, while 37.8% support it. Regional differences exist, with a majority of employers in Wallonia favoring the rules to simplify overtime management, whereas nearly half of Flemish employers oppose them.