⚠️ TESTING IS CRITICAL DURING THE PrEP ACCESS CRISIS. If you are on a PrEP waitlist — or have not been able to access PrEP at all — regular testing is your most important safety net. Test every 3 months at minimum. The NGOs below can do this for free, without appointments in some cases. Do not let the waitlist be an excuse to stop testing. If anything, test more frequently while unprotected.

1. The NGOs (Recommended)

Spain has a fantastic network of community organizations. They are faster and less judgmental than the public system.

  • Barcelona: BCN Checkpoint.
  • Madrid: Apoyo Positivo, COGAM.
  • Seville/Malaga: Adhara.
  • Tests: Usually rapid HIV/Syphilis/Hep C. Some offer full STI panels (Gonorrhea/Chlamydia) via collaboration with labs.

2. The "C.I.T.S." (Centros de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual)

These are specialized public clinics dedicated to STIs.

  • Pros: Free, specialized doctors.
  • Cons: Hard to get appointments.
  • Madrid: The Sandoval network — now three locations: the original Centro Sandoval (Calle de Sandoval, 7), Sandoval II (opened November 2024), and a third center in Alcorcón (opened February 2025). See > Madrid Access for details.
  • Barcelona: Drassanes (CAP Drassanes).

3. The GP (Médico de Cabecera)

  • Pros: Accessible everywhere.
  • Cons: Very hit-or-miss. Many GPs in Spain will just do a blood test and skip the swabs (exudados) unless you explicitly demand them.
  • Privacy: It goes on your main medical record.

Summary

Use the NGOs for routine checks. Use the CITS/Specialists for treatment or PrEP. Avoid the GP for sexual health unless it's your only option.

During the current PrEP access crisis: If you are waiting for PrEP, NGO testing is your lifeline. Test every 3 months. Ask the NGO about fast-tracking your PrEP enrollment — they often have connections that the public appointment system does not.

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