STI TEST AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is perhaps the most liberal city in the world. With its red-light district, gay pride parade, and numerous coffee shops, Amsterdam embodies a certain sense of freedom for many people, especially sexual freedom. Many visitors thoroughly enjoy this freedom and want to be tested for STIs every so often. But even people without regular contacts may feel the need to be reassured about potential sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, etc. STI tests can be obtained at the Municipal Health Service (GGD) or your general practitioner, as well as at specialized STI clinics in Amsterdam, Purmerend, Amstelveen, Huizen, Zaandam, and the surrounding area. Reliable self-tests are also available. Below, you’ll find more information about STI testing in the Amsterdam region.

Anonymous STI self-tests from €59.95 for the Amsterdam, Zaandam, and Purmerend regions

In a city like Amsterdam, everything is fast-paced, open, and constantly evolving. New people, new connections, spontaneous nights that extend—it’s all part of the experience. And that’s wonderful. Freedom, curiosity, being yourself… that’s what makes a city what it is. But it also means: when it comes to sex, responsibility automatically comes with the territory. An STI isn’t something you “see coming.” It’s usually quiet. No itching, no symptoms, no warning signs—and yet you can still pass it on, or end up with something that ultimately causes problems. And let’s be honest: no one likes to talk about it. Let alone get tested. But in a busy, vibrant city, it’s perhaps even more important to do so. In Amsterdam, the lines of communication are short: testing is often free, anonymous, and fast. At the Municipal Health Service (GGD), at reliable clinics, or with a self-test. It’s literally just a matter of arranging things, and you have clarity. And no, you don’t have to “have something” before it’s meaningful. Especially if you’re feeling good, but you’ve had sex without protection—even then. What makes it extra complicated in a city like this is that everything can be fleeting. You meet someone, you’re having a good time, things move quickly—and then the moment is already gone. Fine. But just make testing a natural part of it. Not as a guilt trip, but as a form of care—for yourself and for others. And let’s also say: it says nothing about who you are. On the contrary. Someone who gets tested regularly makes a conscious choice. You don’t have to make a fuss about it, no panic, no lecture. Just occasionally check in and make sure everything is still okay. So whether you’ve just had a fun fling for a few weeks, or just occasionally meet someone who stays over—get tested. In a city where anything is possible, taking good care of yourself might just be the coolest thing you can do.

Taking an STI self-test has several advantages. After all, you don’t have to share intimate details with test takers. Anonymous STI self-tests are also generally somewhat cheaper. So, they seem like an ideal solution to alleviate your uncertainty. The big question, of course, is how reliable are self-tests compared to STI tests offered at STI clinics in Amsterdam. In 2016, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) distinguished between home tests that require sending to a laboratory and tests that provide immediate results. The conclusion at the time was that self-tests with immediate results did not meet the requirements for reliability and sensitivity. It was recommended to only use high-quality home tests from laboratories and specialized STI clinics. Below are a few STI home tests for laboratories that may be of interest to people in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Aalsmeer, and the surrounding area:

Complete and reliable home STD test for women or men (comparable to a complete STD test at an STD clinic in Amsterdam, Zaandam, Purmerend, or the surrounding area).

If you prefer a complete home STD test for women or men for the most common STDs (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Mycoplasma, and Trichomonas) instead of a less anonymous and often more expensive visit to an STD clinic in Amsterdam, Zaandam, Purmerend, or your general practitioner, the STD test below might be a good solution.

Anonymous chlamydia testing for home use in the Amsterdam, Zaandam, Amstelveen, etc. region.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the Amsterdam region. Therefore, the likelihood of contracting an STI is highest. If you have many different contacts, it’s wise to get tested periodically. However, it might be wise to do this more often for chlamydia. Click below for a reliable chlamydia test for home use (where you send the test material to the laboratory by mail).

Anonymous gonorrhea testing at home in the Amsterdam, Zaandam, etc. region.

Gonorrhea is also an STD that appears in the top 5. As with chlamydia, it might be wise to get tested for this STD a little more often. Click below for more information about an anonymous gonorrhea STD test you can take through your own bank.

Frequently asked questions about STI testing in Amsterdam

1. Where can I get tested for STIs in Amsterdam?
You can get tested at the GGD Amsterdam, often for free if you are in a risk group (for example, under 25, with multiple partners, or if you have symptoms). There are also various general practitioners and private clinics where you can pay. There are also self-tests for home use, but not all of them are equally reliable—so be careful.

2. Is an STI test at the GGD free?
Yes, for many people, but not for everyone. The GGD tests are free if you meet certain conditions. Conditions could include:

– You are under 25
– You have symptoms or have had an STI
– You have sex with men
– You have a partner from a country with a high HIV/STI rate
– You work in the sex industry

If not, you can still go to your general practitioner or a private clinic (at your own expense).

3. Do I need to have symptoms to get tested?
No, absolutely not. Most STIs cause few to no symptoms, especially in the beginning. It’s actually wise to get tested regularly if you have sex without a condom, or have (had) multiple partners, even if you feel fine.

4. What exactly is tested during an STI test?
That depends on your situation, but usually, you’ll be tested for:

– Chlamydia and gonorrhea (urine or smear)
– HIV and syphilis (blood)
– Sometimes also for hepatitis B, trichomonas, or genital warts/herpes if there’s a reason for it

5. Does it hurt?
Usually not. A urine sample, a smear (for women), or a small blood sample—that’s usually all it takes. Sometimes a sample is taken with a cotton swab (for example, from the throat or anus), which can be uncomfortable, but not painful.

6. How long do I have to wait for the results?
At the Municipal Health Service (GGD) or your GP, you usually get the results within a few business days to a week. Private clinics can sometimes get it faster.

7. What if I test positive for an STI?
You will then receive treatment (usually quickly): antibiotics for bacterial STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea, or further support for HIV or syphilis. You will be asked to inform your (recent) sexual partners—anonymous testing is also possible with the help of the GGD.

8. Can I get tested anonymously?
At the GGD, your test is confidential, but not completely anonymous: your information is recorded, just like at your GP. Private clinics sometimes do offer anonymous tests. With self-tests, you don’t have to provide any information at all—although there is less support.

9. How often should I get tested?
That depends on your sex life. For some groups (such as men who have sex with men), more frequent testing is recommended.

10. Is it embarrassing to get tested for STDs?
No. Or rather: it’s okay to feel awkward, but it’s actually a responsible and normal thing to do. Healthcare providers are professional and have heard and seen everything. In a city like Amsterdam, testing is the norm rather than the exception—and absolutely no one bats an eye.