Registering doesn't automatically mean everything is correct.
Every day, cleaning and construction companies register their staff via the official NSSO QR code or via a commercial Check In & Out solution. For many companies, that's where the story ends. Not for the NSSO. After every registration, the NSSO runs additional checks. And that's precisely where error codes can arise.
How does a registration work?
Every registration automatically goes through the same steps at the NSSO. Only after those checks does it become clear whether everything was processed correctly.
QR code
Official NSSO
OR
Commercial solution — Check In & Out app
Registration
Sent to the NSSO
Checks
The NSSO runs automatic checks
Correct
The registration is accepted and processed. No further action needed.
Error code
The NSSO flags a discrepancy. Follow-up is needed, but you don't always see it.
And then? Without targeted follow-up, errors often go unnoticed until an inspection.
Why do errors often go unnoticed?
- We don't check the NSSO environment daily.
- We don't immediately understand the error codes.
- We don't know who needs to take action.
- We don't notice recurring errors.
Problems only become visible once someone asks about them.
"Most registration errors don't happen during an inspection. They're simply discovered there."
What are the consequences?
Errors that aren't visible in time keep affecting your administration. A few examples of what this can lead to:
What does a violation actually cost?
Since 1 May 2025, the transition period without penalties has ended: inspections and fines are now actively enforced. For a violation of the CIaO registration obligation, you risk an administrative fine of €800 to €8,000, or a criminal fine of €1,600 to €16,000 — and that per employee involved. If, for example, 5 employees without correct registration are found at one location, this can already add up to €15,000–€20,000 in a single inspection.
These figures come from the Social Criminal Code and official NSSO documentation, not an estimate by CIAO Assist. For a concrete assessment of your situation, we recommend consulting a social secretariat or a lawyer.
Do you know what your current situation looks like?
Most cleaning and construction companies assume everything is registered correctly. But only find out during an inspection which error codes are actually present. Discover your current situation first. Then decide for yourself.