Importance of STD testing and where to get tested in Croatia
UPDATED: 20.9.2023.
Anyone who is sexually active should be tested for spolno prenosive bolesti/SPB (sexually transmitted diseases/STDs) periodically to prevent the spread of diseases. While in the developed part of the world it is quite normal to test for STDs, Croatians don’t do this often, posing a huge risk to public health.
To help you navigate this issue, we take a look at the cultural obstacles that discourage regular testing, then discuss why it’s important to push through these obstacles to protect yourself and the health of your sexual partners. Locations of testing centers throughout the country are also noted.
In this article, we cover:
- Why don’t people get tested?
- Importance of STD testing
- How STD testing is conducted
- Where to get tested for STDs
The facts are these…
Importance of STD testing and where to test in Croatia
Why don’t people in Croatia get tested?
#1 Bad doctors
Believe it or not, doctors try to talk patients out of getting tested here. THIS IS TRUE. They tell patients it is too expensive, which is a BIG FAT LIE. Most STD tests are free if you have Croatian mandatory obvezno health insurance.
An HIV test is around 36 euros without insurance but is only about 7 euros with state health insurance (which you already have if you live in Croatia). HPV tests are completely FREE. Some NGOs even offer free HIV testing.
View our health insurance guides:
- Why you must have health insurance in Croatia
- Croatia’s state health care obvezno insurance, what it costs and what is included
- How third-country citizens can sign up for state health insurance in Croatia
- How EU/EEA citizens (and Croats) can sign up for Croatian state health insurance
#2 Catholicism
As Croatia is a predominantly Catholic country, abstinence is promoted over the use of contraceptives and condoms. The lack of education on the importance of safe sex may not exist, but that doesn’t prevent those same people from having unsafe sex, leading to unplanned pregnancies and spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
[Read: Birth control, IUD, abortion, plan B, and plan C in Croatia]
#3 Lack of education
Since there is a push for abstinence, there is a lack of education on how to have safe sex, know if you may have an STD, or what to do when you have it. Many STDs do not show symptoms. During this time, you can still infect others. Education is power and prevents disease.
Importance of getting tested for STDs in Croatia
There is no such thing as 100% safe sex. Even kissing, which most people do not consider to be a risky act, can be a means of transferring syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
When it comes to testing, anonymous at-home STD tests are possible. However, results rely on the user’s ability to collect the required sample correctly. If you are unsure, it’s recommended to visit a clinic and get tested.
STD testing is recommended if:
- You start a new relationship – testing at the start protects both your partner and yourself
- You end a relationship
- You are planning a pregnancy – absent symptoms do not mean you are not infected; Hepatitis B and C, Herpes, and HIV may be transmitted from the mother to the baby during delivery and breastfeeding
- You have unprotected sexual intercourse with a stranger
- You have noticed symptoms of STDs, such as an unpleasant smell of the genitals, discharge, or itching – visit a doctor with your partner immediately, and both get tested and treated
How STD testing is conducted in Croatia
One of the reasons why sexually active people do not go to STD testing is the way the testing is conducted. STDs can be tested in several different ways.
Women tend to fear cervix swabs, while men fear the urethral swab. Other testing methods are throat and rectal swabs, testing blood samples, and urine samples. If you do have an STD, it will be much more uncomfortable than any swab.
For women, the cervical swab is mostly taken by a gynecologist and is similar to a Pap smear. With this method, a doctor can check for chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HPV.
For men, the urinary tract swab is inserted into the urethra up to about 2 centimeters in depth, lightly rotated, and left in the urethra for at least 2 seconds. Urethra swabs are essential in diagnosing chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and trichomonas.
The pharynx swab is taken so that the spatula slightly depresses the base of the tongue to show the back side of the pharynx. Then, with the wipe, the back of the pharynx, the palate arches, and the toner area are wiped firmly. If a patient says “a”, they will reduce the urge to vomit. Chlamydia, HPV, and gonorrhea can be detected with this method.
At the base of the rectum, the stick is placed 2.5 cm behind the anal sphincter and gently rotated. The remains of the stool must be visible on the swab stick. From the rectum swab, it is possible to perform tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
The first-morning urine should be taken when taking a urine sample for bacteriological tests. Before taking the urine sample, it is necessary to wash the external parts of the genitals with warm water and soap and dry them with a paper tissue. From the urine, it is possible to test for mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and chlamydia.
HIV and HPV can be tested with a simple blood test.
If you have ever been sexually active and have never been tested, GET TESTED.
If you are sexually active now, GET TESTED.
Where to get tested for STDs in Croatia
There are many facilities across Croatia where you can get tested for STDs. Below is a list of all the facilities that offer testing across Croatia, including their contact information, website link, which diseases they test for, and how long it can take to get results.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
HIV testing
Epidemiološka služba, Zavod za javno zdravstvo Dubrovačko-neretvanske županije
Test for: HIV (anonymously and free of charge)
Waiting results: up to a week strong
Address: Dr. Ante Šercera 4a, 20 000 Dubrovnik – view map
Phone: +385 (0)20 341 085
Testing for other STDs
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Dubrovačko-neretvanske županije
Test for: mycoplasma, urease, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis (referral for a specialist examination – no scheduling required)
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Dr. Ante Šercera 4a, 22 000 Dubrovnik – view map
Phone: +385 (0)20 341 000
Transfuziologija, Opća bolnica Dubrovnik
Test for: Hepatitis B and C (required referral; no scheduling)
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Roka Mišetića, bb, 22 000 Dubrovnik – view map
Phone: +385 (0)20 431 669
Osijek, Croatia
HIV testing
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Osječko-baranjske županije
Test for: HIV, Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
Waiting results: 3-5 week days
Address: Franje Krežme 1, 31 000 Osijek – view map
Phone: +385 (0)31 225 711
Testing for other STDs
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Osječko-baranjske županije
Test for: mycoplasma, urease, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV – a referral from a physician is required, no ordering; women must do their cervical spine swab at their gynecologist and take samples to the institute
Waiting results: up to 3 weeks, depending on STD
Address: Franje Krežme 1, 31 000 Osijek – view map
Phone: +385 (0)31 225 711
Pula, Croatia
HIV testing
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Istarske županije
Test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
Waiting results: Up to 3 working days
Address: Nazorova 23, 52 100 Pula – view map
Phone: +385 (0)52 529 017 and +385 (0)52 529 046
Testing for other STDs
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Istarske županije
Test for: mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis – a referral from a doctor, no ordering; women must do their cervical swabs at their gynecologist and bring samples to the department
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Nazorova 23, 22 100 Pula – view map
Phone: +385 (0)52 529 017; +385 (0)52 529 046
Rijeka, Croatia
HIV testing
Epidemiološki odjel, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Primorsko-goranske županije
Test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C; for other sexually transmitted diseases, it is necessary to report to the gynecologist/urologist, and they will suggest where to go
Waiting results: Approximately 1 week
Address: Krešimirova 52a, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
Phone: +385 (0)51 358 798
Slavonski Brod, Croatia
HIV testing
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Brodsko-posavske županije
Test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
Waiting results: HIV 2 week days, hepatitis B and C up to a week
Address: Vladimira Nazora 2a, 35 000 Slavonski Brod – view map
Phone: +385 (0)35 447 228
Testing for other STDs
Mikrobiologija, Zavod za javno zdravstvo Brodsko-posavske županije
Test for: mycoplasma, urease, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV (referral from a doctor, no ordering required)
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Nazorova 2a, 35 000 Slavonski Brod – view map
Phone: +385 (0)35 447 228
Split, Croatia
HIV testing
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Služba za epidemiologiju, Ambulanta za AIDS
Test for: HIV and hepatitis B and C
Waiting results: HIV up to 2 days, hepatitis B and C up to 7 days
Address: Vukovarska 46, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)21 401 114; +385 (0)21 401 154
Testing for other STDs
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Mikrobiologija
Test for: mycoplasma, urease, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV (referral from a doctor, no ordering required)
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Vukovarska 46, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)21 401 107
Poliklinika Analiza – location 1 (private clinic)
Test for: HIV, Hepatitis A and B, Syphilis
Waiting results: Same day
Address: Moliških hrvata 4, II kat, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)21 688 88
Poliklinika Analiza – location 2 (private clinic)
Test for: HIV, Hepatitis A and B, syphilis
Waiting results: same day
Address: Lovretska 10, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)21 688 88
Zadar, Croatia
HIV testing
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar, Služba za epidemiologija
Test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C
Waiting results: HIV and Hepatitis B up to 2 days, Hepatitis C up to 7 days
Address: Ulica Don Ive Prodana 12, 23 000 Zadar – view map
Phone: +385 (0)23 318 152
Testing for other STDs
Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar, Služba za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju
Test for: mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, syphilis (a doctor’s referral is needed, swabs are taken at the gynecologist and are delivered to the Department)
Waiting results: up to 10 days
Address: Kolovare 2, 23 000 Zadar – view map
Phone: +385 (0)23 300 850
Zagreb, Croatia
HIV testing
CheckPoint Zagreb
Test for: HIV and Hepatitis C (anonymously and free of charge), through quick tests from the saliva
Waiting results: 20 minutes
Address: Domagojeva 10, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: 0800 448 767
Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo
Test for: Anonymous and free testing of HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis (no need for uputnica)
Waiting results: 7 days for HIV, up to 14 days for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis
Address: Rockefellerova 12, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 48 63 345
Iskorak
Test for: Anonymous and free testing of HIV and Syphilis, Counseling
Waiting results: 1 minute
Address: Šenoina 26, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)91 2444 666
Email: info@iskorak.hr
Referentni centar za dijagnostiku i liječenje zaraze HIV-om, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”
Test for: HIV and hepatitis B i C (anonymously and free of charge)
Waiting results: 2 week days for HIV, up to 7 week days for hepatitis B and C
Address: Mirogojska 8, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 46 78 243
Testing for other STDs
Centar za mlade Nastavnog zavoda za javno zdravstvo “Dr. Andrija Štampar” – Center for Reproductive Health (for adults who are not regular students)
Services:
- Consultation on STDs
- Help with choosing a gynecologist
- Information and testing with LBC (Liquid-Based Cytology)
- Cytological analysis (classical Papa test)
- Microbiological analysis PCR for HPV virus (High risk human papillomavirus for cervical cancer)
Address: Mirogojska cesta 16, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 4696 392; +385 (0)1 4696 334
Email: maja.maric-bajs@stampar.hr
Savjetovalište za zaštitu reproduktivnog zdravlja mladih – sexual and reproductive health counseling for high school students and regular students and their sex partners of the City of Zagreb
Services:
- Women’s gynecological examination
- PAPA test
- Indicated diagnostic procedures for STD detection
- Vaccination against HPV (with payment outside the vaccination program)
Phone: +385 (0)1 4696 281
E-mail: skolska@stampar.hr
Referentni centar za dijagnostiku and liječenje zaraze HIV-om, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević” – for men who have or think they may have a sexually transmitted disease or want to check if they are at risk
Test for: HIV, Hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis – For first examination and control appointments, you don’t need uputnica from your doctor
Address: Mirogojska 8, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 4678 243; +385 (0)1 2826 147
Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo, Microbiological ambulance (reception ambulance)
Test for: mycoplasma, urease, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HPV with a diagnostic request or with payment; no scheduling
Testing for documents (visa, life insurance…): every weekday; bring a personal document (passport or ID card)
Waiting results: up to 14 days
Address: Rockefellerova 12, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 48 63 236
Klinika za kožne i spolne bolesti
Test for: Men can be tested for mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, HIV, hepatitis B and C
Schedule: predbiljezbe.veneroloska.koz@kbc-zagreb.hr (send a scanned uputnica and write what you want to test) or in-person
Waiting results: 1-2 months
Address: KBC Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 23 68 926
Zavod za infekcije mokraćnog sustava i nejasna febrilna stanja, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”
Test for: mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, gonorrhea: a referral from a general practitioner or a gynecologist with an overview and swabs is required
Waiting results: 2-3 weeks
Address: Mirogojska 8, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 28 26 187; +385 (0)1 28 26 188
View our other health insurance articles
- Birth control, IUD, abortion, plan B, and plan C in Croatia
- Croatia’s state health care obvezno insurance
- Healthcare and health insurance in Croatia
- How EU/EEA citizens can sign up for state health insurance
- How to sign up for state health insurance in Croatia
- HZZO list of local health insurance offices
- What is a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- What is dodatno health insurance
- What is dopunsko health insurance
- Why you must have health insurance
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
