Construction insurance certificates in Belgium: a pre-start check for foreign contractors

A certificate from abroad is not automatically the right proof

A foreign contractor may already hold liability insurance in its home country. The Belgian client still needs to establish which cover and evidence apply to the specific work in Belgium. Names such as professional liability, public liability and decennial liability describe different risks; a familiar label does not prove that the project is covered.

The Belgian FPS Economy explains that contractors and other service providers must provide the client and architect with a decennial civil liability insurance certificate before work starts when that compulsory regime applies. Construction professionals must also have the relevant certificate available on site. Ask the architect, broker or qualified adviser to determine the exact requirement for the project and participant.

Match the document to five facts

Check the legal identity of the insured company, the insurer, the policy number, the coverage period and the stated activities or project. Compare the company registration and address with the subcontract or main contract. If the certificate contains a project location, confirm that it matches the Belgian site.

The FPS Economy also states that contractual documents must mention the insurer's name and business number and the policy number. Treat a mismatch as an exception. Do not accept it because the trade name looks similar or because the contractor has worked in Belgium before.

Use clear review states

“Uploaded” means only that a file exists. Add separate states for checked, clarification requested and accepted. Record who reviewed the document, when, and against which requirement. Keep the original file and every replacement version.

Set an alert if the coverage ends before the planned work or handover. When the crew, legal entity or scope changes, reopen the check. The correct proof for one subcontractor cannot be reused for another participant in the chain.

Keep the evidence available at site start

Link the accepted certificate to the project and contractor record. The site manager should be able to see the review outcome without relying on a private email inbox. If a question remains, escalate it before access or mobilisation under the company's approved procedure.

Enfin can organise suppliers, project documents, owners and deadlines. It does not decide whether a foreign policy satisfies Belgian law. Use the guide to align foreign-contractor site registration and to manage subcontractors. Explore Enfin for Belgian construction for the wider workflow.

Source: Belgian FPS Economy on construction professional liability insurance, last updated 13 October 2025 and checked 30 July 2026.