Mandatory Time Tracking 2027 in Belgium: Everything You Need to Know
Time tracking will become mandatory from January 1, 2027 in Belgium. This historic measure, decided on November 25, 2025, will transform HR management for all Belgian companies. Discover the legal context, your obligations and how to prepare effectively.
Coming into effect in
129 days
2026 is the key year to become compliant
Prepare nowFullyn Field or Fullyn Time: which one for you?
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Legal context and origin of the law
The decision to establish mandatory working time recording in Belgium was made by the federal government on November 25, 2025, as part of the budget agreement.
The European Court of Justice ruling of 2019
This measure originates from a historic ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on May 14, 2019. In the case between a Spanish trade union and Deutsche Bank, the Court ruled that:
"European working time rules can only be applied if it is previously measured or recorded."
The CJEU thus required Member States to implement a working time recording system meeting three fundamental criteria:
Objective
Impartial and precise measurement
Reliable
Secure and verifiable data
Accessible
Viewable by employee and employer
European Directive 2003/88/EC
This obligation falls under Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of working time organization, which aims to protect workers' health and safety by setting:
- A maximum weekly working time of 48 hours
- A minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours
- A minimum weekly rest of 24 hours
- Annual paid leave of at least 4 weeks
Who is affected by this obligation?
All Belgian companies are affected by this obligation, regardless of their size or sector. Here is a detailed overview:
Companies affected
- SMEs and large companies - All employers with at least 1 employee
- All sectors - Construction, industry, services, commerce, etc.
- On-site workers - Offices, factories, shops
- Mobile workers - Field, construction sites, interventions
- Remote work - Home-based workers
Types of contracts covered
- Permanent and fixed-term - Fixed-term and permanent contracts
- Full-time and part-time
- Temporary workers - Through the user company
- Apprentices and interns
- Student contracts
Special cases
Specific arrangements for certain categories (senior executives, self-employed workers) will be specified by royal decree. Adjustments may be provided to account for the flexibility of certain positions while ensuring compliance with rest periods.
Employer obligations
From January 1, 2027, Belgian employers must comply with several legal obligations regarding working time recording:
Implement a recording system
The employer must install a system to record the start and end times of each employee's work, as well as break times. This system must be "objective, reliable and accessible".
Record overtime
The system must calculate and track overtime worked, ensuring correct payment of premiums and compliance with legal limits.
Retain data
Recording data must be retained for a minimum period (generally 5 years) and be accessible for labor inspection audits.
Ensure employee access
Each employee must be able to view their own recording data and obtain a statement of their working hours upon request.
Comply with GDPR
Processing of working time data must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (limited purpose, data minimization, security).
Compliant recording systems
The law does not require a specific type of system. What matters is that it is objective, reliable and accessible. Here are the available options:
Mobile application
Ideal for mobile teams and remote work. Enables geolocated clocking and photo proof.
Physical terminal
Traditional solution for fixed sites. Badge, PIN code or biometric recognition.
Web software
Interface accessible from any browser. Ideal for office work and remote work.
Biometric solution
Fingerprint or facial recognition. Eliminates time fraud risks.
NON-compliant systems
Manual Excel files, paper sheets and declarative systems without controls will probably not be considered "objective and reliable" according to the law's criteria.
Benefits of digital time tracking
Beyond simple legal compliance, adopting a digital time tracking system brings many benefits for your company and employees:
For the company
- Administrative time savings
Automation of hour calculation and payroll report generation
- Error reduction
Elimination of manual input and calculation errors
- Real-time visibility
Instant tracking of attendance and workload
- Cost optimization
Identification of excessive overtime
- Guaranteed compliance
Legal protection in case of disputes
For employees
- Work-life balance
Better visibility on hours worked
- Recognized overtime
Guaranteed compensation for every hour worked
- Transparency
Access to your own data history
- Simplicity
One-click clocking from your smartphone
- Burnout prevention
Alerts when quotas are exceeded
57%
of employees say time tracking improves their work-life balance
35%
of workers exceed their hour quota without tracking
-70%
administrative time with an automated system
99%
reduction in calculation errors
Start now, stay ahead
Nothing stops you from preparing before the royal decrees are published. Companies already on Odoo can be operational in days:
💡 Already on Odoo? Near-instant deployment. Otherwise, 6 weeks max.
Start today
Book a personalized Fullyn Field demo. No commitment.
Full deployment
Team training (15 min), Odoo setup, and you're live.
You're ready
Compliance ensured before the law takes effect.
Fullyn Field Solution: Ready for 2027
Fullyn Field is a field time tracking application designed for companies managing mobile teams. 100% compliant with the requirements of the new Belgian legislation.
Key features
Guaranteed compliance
Personalized demo — Test without commitment
Frequently asked questions
When does working time recording become mandatory in Belgium?
The obligation to record working time comes into effect on January 1, 2027 in Belgium, following the federal government's decision of November 25, 2025.
Which companies are affected by the 2027 time tracking obligation?
All Belgian companies, regardless of their size or sector, are affected by this obligation. This includes SMEs, large companies, as well as remote workers and field workers.
What time recording system is compliant with the law?
The law requires an 'objective', 'reliable' and 'accessible' system. This can be digital time tracking software, a mobile application, a physical terminal or a biometric solution. The important thing is that the system accurately records start and end times.
Must overtime also be recorded?
Yes, the obligation covers all working time, including overtime. The system must accurately calculate hours worked beyond normal working time.
Is an Excel file sufficient for compliance?
No, a manually filled Excel file will probably not be considered 'objective and reliable' according to the law's criteria. An automated system with timestamps is recommended.
How to prepare for this obligation?
We recommend starting now: (1) assess your needs, (2) select a suitable solution, (3) deploy and train your teams during 2026 to be ready by January 1, 2027.
Is GPS tracking mandatory?
No, geolocation is not mandatory but strongly recommended for mobile teams. It provides additional proof of presence at the workplace.
Ready to become compliant?
Don't let the 2027 deadline catch you off guard. Contact our experts for a free assessment of your needs.