The Importance of STD Testing in Croatia

UPDATED: 20.09.2023

Anyone who is sexually active should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, abbreviated “SPB” in Croatian) periodically to prevent the spread of disease. While in the developed part of the world it is quite normal to test for STDs, Croatians don’t do this as often or at all, 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 is also noted.

In this article, we cover:

• Why don’t people in Croatia get tested?
• The importance of getting tested for STDs
• How STD testing is conducted
• Where to get tested for STDs in Croatia

The facts are these…

Why don’t people in Croatia get tested?

• Bad Doctors

Believe or not, but 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 national health insurance. An HIV test is around 36 euros without insurance, but is only about 7 euros with national health insurance (which you already have if you live in Croatia). HPV tests are completely FREE. Some NGOs even offer free HIV testing.

• 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 the spread of sexually-transmitted disease.

• Lack of education

Since there is a push for abstinence, there is a lack of education on how to have safe sex, how to know if you may have an STD or what to do when you have an STD. Many STDs do not show symptoms. During this time, you can still infect others. Education is power and prevents disease.

The importance of getting tested for STDs

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 test options are possible, however results do rely on the user’s ability to correctly collect the required sample, so if you are unsure, it’s recommended to visit a listed clinic and get tested.

Testing for STDs is especially recommended in the following situations:

• When you start a new relationship – Testing at the start of a new relationship protects both your partner and yourself.
• When you end a relationship
• If you are planning a pregnancy – It is recommended that you test for STDs because the absence of any symptoms does not mean that you are not infected. For example, Hepatitis B and C, Herpes and HIV may be transmitted from the mother to the baby during delivery and breastfeeding.
• If you have unprotected sexual intercourse with an unknown person, it is extremely important to test for STDs.
• If you have noticed symptoms of STDs, such as an unpleasant smell of the genitals, discharge, or itching, go to the doctor immediately and take along your partner with you so that you both can be tested and treated.

How STD testing is conducted

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 for in several different ways. Women tend to fear cervix swab, while men fear the urethral swab. Other testing methods are throat and rectal swabs, testing blood samples, and urine samples. However, if you do have an STD, it will be a lot more uncomfortable than any swab will be.

• 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 the presence of 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 and lightly rotated and left in the urethra for at least 2 seconds. Urethra swabs are an important step in the diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, mycoplasma, ureaplasma and trihomonas.
• 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 area of ​​the toner are wiped firmly. If a patient says “a”, he 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.
• When taking a urine sample for bacteriological tests, the first morning urine should be taken. Before taking the urine sample, it is necessary to wash the external parts of genitals with warm water and soap and dry 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 the country where you can get tested for STDs. Below is a list of all the facilities that offer testing across Croatia along with their contact information, website link, which diseases they test for and how long it can take to get results.

DUBROVNIK

HIV Testing

Epidemiološka služba, Zavod za javno zdravstvo Dubrovačko-neretvanske županije

• Address: Dr. Ante Šercera  4a
• Phone: +385 (0)20 341 085
• Website
• You can test for: HIV (anonymously and free of charge)
• Waiting for test results: up to a week

Testing for other STDs

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Dubrovačko-neretvanske županije

• Address: Dr. Ante Šercera  4a
• Phone: +385 (0)20 341 000
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, urease, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis (referral for a specialist examination – no scheduling required)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

Transfuziologija, Opća bolnica Dubrovnik

• Address: Roka Mišetića, bb
• Phone: +385 (0)20 431 669
• Website
• You can test for: Hepatitis B and C (required referral, no scheduling is required)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

OSIJEK

HIV Testing

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Osječko-baranjske županije

• Address: Franje Krežme 1
• Phone: +385 (0)31 225 711
• Website
• You can test for: HIV, Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
• Waiting for test results: 3-5 week days

Testing for other STDs

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Osječko-baranjske županije

• Address: Franje Krežme 1
• Phone: +385 (0)31 225 711
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, urease, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HPV (a referral from a physician is required and no ordering is required). Women have to do their cervical spine swab at their gynecologist and take samples to the institute)
• Waiting for test results: up to 3 weeks depending on STD you are testing for

PULA

HIV Testing

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Istarske županije

• Address: Nazorova 23
• Phone: +385 (0)52 529 017 and +385 (0)52 529 046
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
• Waiting for test results: Up to 3 working days

Testing for other STDs

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Istarske županije

• Address: Nazorova 23
• Phone: +385 (0)52 529 017 and +385 (0)52 529 046
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, ureaplasm, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis (a referral from a doctor, no ordering required, women have to do their cervical swabs at their gynecologist and bring samples to the Department)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

RIJEKA

HIV Testing

Epidemiološki odjel, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Primorsko-goranske županije

• Address: Krešimirova 52a
• Phone: +385 (0)51 358 798
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C (For other sexually transmitted diseases it is necessary to report to the gynecologist / urologist and he will suggest where to go next)
• Waiting for test results: Approximately 1 week

SLAVONSKI BROD

HIV Testing

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Brodsko-posavske županije

• Address: Vladimira Nazora 2a
• Phone: +385 (0)35 447 228
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C (anonymously and free of charge)
• Waiting for test results: HIV 2 week days, hepatitis B and C up to a week

Testing for other STDs

Mikrobiologija, Zavod za javno zdravstvo Brodsko-posavske županije

• Address: Nazorova 2a
• Phone: +385 (0)35 447 228
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, urease, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HPV (referral from a doctor, no ordering required)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

SPLIT

HIV Testing

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Služba za epidemiologiju, Ambulanta za AIDS

• Address: Vukovarska 46
• Phone: +385 (0)21 401 114; +385 (0)21 401 154
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and hepatitis B and C
• Waiting for test results: HIV up to 2 days, hepatitis B and C up to 7 days

Testing for other STDs

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Mikrobiologija

• Address: Vukovarska 46
• Phone: +385 (0)21 401 107
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, urease, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HPV (referral from a doctor, no ordering required)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

Poliklinika Analiza – Location 1 (Private Clinic)

• Address: Moliskih hrvata 4, II kat
• Phone: +385 (0)21 688 88
• Website
• You can test for: HIV, Hepatitis A and B, Syphilis
• Waiting for test results: Same day

Poliklinika Analiza – Location 2 (Private Clinic)

• Address: Lovretska 10
• Phone: +385 (0)21 688 88
• Website
• You can test for: HIV, Hepatitis A and B, Syphilis
• Waiting for test results: Same day

ZADAR

HIV Testing

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar, Služba za epidemiologija

• Address: Ulica Don Ive Prodana 12
• Phone: +385 (0)23 318 152
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and Hepatitis B and C
• Waiting for test results: HIV and Hepatitis B up to 2 days, Hepatitis C up to 7 days

Testing for other STDs

Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar, Služba za mikrobiologiju i parazitologiju

• Address: Kolovare 2
• Phone: +385 (0)23 300 850
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, syphilis (a doctor’s referral is needed, swabs are taken at the gynecologist and are delivered to the Department)
• Waiting for test results: up to 10 days

ZAGREB

HIV Testing

CheckPoint Zagreb

• Address: Domagojeva 10
• Phone: 0800 448 767
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and Hepatitis C (anonymously and free of charge), through quick tests from the saliva
• Waiting for test results: 20 minutes

Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo

• Address: Rockefellerova 12
• Phone: +385 (0)1 48 63 345
• Website
• Anonymous and free testing of HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis (no need for “uputnica”)
• Waiting for test results: 7 days for HIV, up to 14 days for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis

Iskorak

• Address: Šenoina 26
• Phone: +385 (0)91 2444 666
• Email: info@iskorak.hr
• Website
• Anonymous and free testing of HIV and Syphilis, Counseling
• Waiting for test results: 1 minute

Referentni centar za dijagnostiku i liječenje zaraze HIV-om, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”,

• Address: Mirogojska 8
• Phone: +385 (0)1 46 78 243
• Website
• You can test for: HIV and hepatitis B i C (anonymously and free of charge)
• Waiting for test results: 2 week days for HIV, up to 7 week days for hepatitis B and C

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
• Address: Mirogojska cesta 16, 10000 Zagreb
• Phone: +385 01 4696 392 or +385 (0)1 4696 334
• Website
• Appointments: Scheduling via phone or email: maja.maric-bajs@stampar.hr
• Possible 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)

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
• Phone: +385 (0)1 4696 281
• E-Mail: skolska@stampar.hr
• Website
• Appointments: Required scheduled appointment by phone or email, except in emergencies
• Possible services:
  • Women’s gynecological examination
  • PAPA test
  • Indicated diagnostic procedures for STD detection
  • Vaccination against HPV (with payment outside the vaccination program)

Referentni centar za dijagnostiku and liječenje zaraze HIV-om, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”,

• Address: Mirogojska 8
• Phone: +385 (0)1 4678 243 or +385 (0)1 2826 147 from 8:00-18:30
• Website
• Men can be tested for: HIV, Hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis … (For first examination and control appointments you DO NOT need to have the “uputnica” from your doctor or any other specialist.)
• It is intended for men who have, or think that they may have a sexually transmitted disease or simply want to check if they are at risk of such illness.

Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo

• Microbiological ambulance (reception ambulance)
• Address: Rockefellerova 12
• Phone: +385 (0)1 48 63 236
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, urease, trihomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HPV
• With a DIAGNOSTIC REQUEST or with payment – no scheduling required
• Testing for documents (visa, life insurance …): every week day from 8:00 – 9:30. Bring a personal document (passport or ID card).
• Waiting for test results: up to 14 days

Klinika za kožne i spolne bolesti

• Address: KBC Zagreb, Šalata 4
• Phone: +385 (0)1 23 68 926
• Website
• You can test for: Men can be tested for mycoplasma, ureaplasm, trihomonas, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, HIV, hepatitis B and C
• Scheduling: predbiljezbe.veneroloska.koz@kbc-zagreb.hr (send a scanned “uputnica” and write a few words about what you want to test) or in person
• Waiting for test results: 1-2 months

Zavod za infekcije mokraćnog sustava i nejasna febrilna stanja, Klinika za infektivne bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”

• Address: Mirogojska 8
• Phone: +385 (0)1 28 26 187 and +385 (0)1 28 26 188
• Website
• You can test for: Mycoplasma, ureaplasm, trihomonas, gonorrhea (a referral from a general practitioner or a gynecologist with an “overview + swabs”) is required
• Waiting for test results: 2-3 weeks