A control device for gas appliances comprises: a manual-control element (22), which can be turned about a first axis (A) for setting a time interval; a circuit arrangement (25) that includes a sensor device, configured for detecting movements of the manual-control means (22); and a supporting structure (21), which can be associated in a stationary way to a gas tap (10), the supporting structure (21) being designed for being mounted within a body of a gas appliance. At least one of the manual-control element (22) and the supporting structure (21) has an axial cavity or defines at least part of a passage, where there can be received a corresponding part of the gas tap (10).A part of the sensor device is movable with respect to a second axis (B), and operatively set between the manual-control element (22) and the movable part of the sensor device is a transmission arrangement (28-30).