Belgium mandatory working time registration

The Belgian federal government is preparing to mandate that all employers in the private and public sectors register employee working hours starting January 1, 2027. This legislative move follows rulings by the European Court of Justice intended to ensure workers' rights regarding maximum working hours, breaks, and rest periods are enforceable through reliable time-tracking.

Under the Programme Law of 30 May 2026, the requirements will expand to include work on immovable property at sites where the total value of the work is €500,000 or more, excluding VAT. This specifically targets major construction worksites and ready-mixed concrete deliveries. 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 arrivals and departures in real time.

While employers must provide the means for compliance, workers are responsible for self-registering. Reaction to the mandate is divided; a study by Acerta found that approximately 42.8% of employers oppose the measure, citing a preference for trust-based relationships, while 37.8% support it. Regional sentiment also varies, with a majority of employers in Wallonia favoring the rules to simplify overtime management, whereas nearly half of Flemish employers oppose them.