Abstract: A bitumen emulsion of the cationic type is disclosed which contains a thickener comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of associative thickeners of the nonionic type. The invention also relates to the use of a thickener of the above mentioned type as a thickener in a bitumen emulsion of the cationic type and the use of a bitumen emulsion containing a thickener as set forth above in road building, roofing and waterproofing.