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HIV testing options — clinics, GP, self-tests compared

A practical overview of where you can get tested for HIV in the Netherlands, UK and across Europe — including when each option is free, when it costs, and what to consider.

Based on current public health guidance from Soa Aids Nederland, NHS, CDC, ECDC and BHIVA. Last reviewed: 11 May 2026.

Reviewed against Oneself's editorial standards →

In Europe, HIV testing is available through five main routes: public sexual health clinics, general practitioners, private clinics, free postal test kits (widely available in the UK), and at-home self-tests like INSTI. Which option is right depends on cost, privacy, speed, and whether you need broader STI screening or just HIV. This page compares the routes honestly so you can choose what fits your situation.

1. The main HIV testing routes in Europe

Across most European countries, HIV testing is available through five main routes:

Each route has different strengths. The right choice depends on your situation: how soon you need a result, how much privacy matters, whether you're in a free-testing eligibility group, and where you live.

2. Testing options in the Netherlands

GGD STI clinics — free, but conditional

The Centres for Sexual Health run by the GGD (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst) offer free, anonymous HIV and STI testing for people who fall into specific risk groups. Eligibility varies by region but generally includes:

Demand for free STI testing in the Netherlands has increased significantly over the last decade, while public funding has remained limited in many regions. This affects both eligibility criteria and waiting times.

Important context: since 2015, the Ministry of Health has set funding caps on free GGD STI testing. Waiting times can range from 3 weeks to 3 months in busy regions. If you don't qualify, the GGD will refer you elsewhere.

Find your nearest GGD via soaaids.nl .

GP (huisarts) — accessible but not anonymous

Most GPs in the Netherlands can order an HIV test. Costs typically come out of your annual deductible (eigen risico, currently around €385). The test result and HIV-related information are entered into your medical file and may be visible within the healthcare reimbursement system.

A GP test is straightforward and confidential within the medical system, but it is not anonymous. For people who specifically want their HIV testing kept out of their medical record, this is a relevant consideration.

Private sexual health clinics — paid but anonymous and fast

Private clinics like OneDayClinic (locations across major cities) and DC Klinieken offer anonymous HIV testing without waiting lists. Costs typically range from €50–€150 for HIV alone, or €110–€225 for full STI panels. Results often available the same day for rapid tests; 1–3 days for lab-based.

These clinics are recognised by Soa Aids Nederland and use certified laboratories.

AHF Checkpoint — free HIV testing for everyone

AHF Checkpoint Amsterdam (gratishivtest.nl) offers free, anonymous HIV rapid testing to anyone, not just risk groups. Results in 1–20 minutes via fingerstick test. Available in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

This is one of the few options in the Netherlands offering genuinely free HIV testing to the general population.

Self-tests at home

CE-marked HIV self-tests like INSTI are available without prescription, delivered discreetly in plain packaging. Most convenient for privacy and control, with results in minutes. See Section 5 for more on self-testing.

3. Testing options in the United Kingdom

The UK has the most accessible free HIV testing landscape in Europe. The NHS offers multiple free routes:

NHS sexual health clinics

Free walk-in or appointment-based HIV testing through sexual health (genitourinary medicine, GUM) clinics across the UK. No referral needed. Confidential and free regardless of risk group.

Free postal test kits

Several NHS-supported services post free HIV (and broader STI) test kits to your home:

Availability depends on your postcode and local NHS partnership arrangements — most major English regions are covered, but check the specific service for your area.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)

THT (tht.org.uk) offers postal test kits and walk-in testing services, with a particular focus on people at higher risk. Many free options available; low-cost self-test kits for purchase otherwise.

GPs (NHS)

UK general practitioners can order HIV tests free through NHS pathways, particularly relevant for people who prefer in-person care or who have ongoing risk factors.

4. Testing options elsewhere in Europe

While testing infrastructure varies by country, most EU/EEA countries offer free or low-cost HIV testing through public health services:

If you're travelling or living elsewhere in Europe, check with the local public health service or national AIDS organisation for available options. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) provides country-specific guidance.

5. HIV self-testing at home

HIV self-tests are CE-marked medical devices that you use at home, with results in minutes. The INSTI HIV Self Test is one example, available across the EU/UK.

How self-testing works:

When self-testing makes sense

Self-tests are particularly suited for:

When self-testing is less appropriate

Self-tests are less ideal when:

6. How to choose: cost, privacy, speed, accuracy

The five testing routes differ on a few key dimensions. Use this comparison to identify what matters most to you.

Attribute Public clinic (GGD/NHS) GP / huisarts Private clinic Free postal kit (UK) Self-test at home
Cost Free (risk groups) Out of deductible €50–225 Free One-time test cost
Anonymous Yes (risk groups) No Yes Yes Yes
Result speed 1 week 1 week Same day – 3 days 3–7 days 60 seconds
Wait for appointment 3 weeks – 3 months (NL) Days Same/next day Days for postage None
Walk-in possible Sometimes No Often No (postal) N/A
STI panel included Yes Yes Optional Yes No (HIV only)
Counselling on site Yes Yes Yes Phone/text only None
Suitable for confirmatory Yes Yes Yes Yes No — needs follow-up

The right choice depends on which factors matter most. There is no universal best option — different people prioritise differently.

7. After your test result

Whatever route you choose, what comes after the result matters as much as the test itself.

If your result is non-reactive (negative)

A non-reactive result after the full window period (12 weeks for INSTI) means HIV antibodies were not detected. Continue prevention measures: condoms, regular testing if at ongoing risk, and consider PrEP if you have repeated exposure. Learn more about the window period →

If your result is reactive (preliminary positive)

A reactive result on any screening test, including a self-test, must be confirmed by laboratory testing through a healthcare provider. Modern HIV treatment is highly effective. People who start treatment early can have a normal life expectancy and, with sustained viral suppression, cannot transmit HIV to sexual partners. Read about U=U →

Contact your GP, sexual health clinic, or HIV service for confirmatory testing and support.

If your possible exposure was within the last 72 hours

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) may still be an option, regardless of which test you choose later. Contact a sexual health clinic or hospital emergency department immediately — do not wait for test results. Learn about PEP →

Frequently asked questions

Is HIV testing always free in the Netherlands?
No. GGD STI clinics offer free testing only to specific risk groups (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people warned by a partner, and a few others). For everyone else, GP testing comes out of your annual deductible (roughly €385), and private clinics charge €50–225. AHF Checkpoint in Amsterdam and Rotterdam offers free HIV testing to anyone, but is geographically limited.
Is HIV testing always free in the UK?
Largely yes. The NHS offers free HIV testing through sexual health clinics, GPs, and a wide network of free postal test kit services (SH:24, SHL, freetesting.hiv, and others). Coverage varies by region but free options exist almost everywhere in the UK.
How accurate are HIV self-tests compared to laboratory tests?
CE-marked self-tests like INSTI have very high accuracy — over 99% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity in the appropriate testing window. They are less sensitive in very early infection (the first weeks) compared to fourth-generation lab tests, which is why laboratory testing is preferred if you may have been recently exposed. For testing after the 12-week window has passed, a self-test is highly reliable.
Can I get an anonymous HIV test in the Netherlands?
Yes, several ways. GGD STI clinics offer anonymous testing for eligible risk groups. Private clinics like OneDayClinic and DC Klinieken offer fully anonymous paid testing. AHF Checkpoint offers free anonymous testing in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Self-tests at home are inherently anonymous.
Which option is best if I just want to know quickly?
For fastest results: a private clinic with a rapid test (1–2 hours), AHF Checkpoint if you're near Amsterdam or Rotterdam (1–20 minutes), or a self-test at home (60 seconds). Public clinics and GP testing typically take a week. Speed matters most when you're anxious to know — but it shouldn't matter at the cost of accuracy. Make sure your timing is past the test's window period.
Can I buy an HIV self-test at a pharmacy?
Availability varies by country. In the United Kingdom and some other European countries, certain HIV self-tests are sold at major pharmacies (Boots in the UK, for example). In the Netherlands, pharmacy availability is more limited and most self-tests are ordered online from CE-certified sellers. The INSTI HIV Self Test is available through online suppliers across the EU and UK, delivered in plain unmarked packaging.

This page was last updated on 11 May 2026. For our editorial process, see editorial standards .