Croatia has a strong testing infrastructure for gay and bisexual men, concentrated in Zagreb but with regional options. Community organisations make the process accessible, welcoming, and often free — regardless of insurance status.
CheckPoint Zagreb — The Primary Hub
HUHIV / CheckPoint Zagreb Ulica kneza Domagoja 10, 10000 Zagreb huhiv.hr | pitaj@huhiv.hr | Phone: 091 633 3773
CheckPoint Zagreb is the primary sexual health testing centre for gay and bisexual men in Croatia. Run by HUHIV (the Croatian HIV Association), it offers:
- Rapid HIV test (result in 15–20 minutes) — free
- Rapid syphilis test — free
- Hepatitis B and C testing
- Gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing
- Anonymous — no name or ID required
- Counselling before and after testing
- English-speaking staff
Check huhiv.hr for current hours and booking — walk-ins often available at designated times.
Iskorak — LGBTQ+ Rights and Health
Iskorak Šenoina 34, 10000 Zagreb iskorak.hr | Phone: 091 24 44 666
Iskorak is Croatia's main LGBTQ+ rights and support organisation. Beyond advocacy, they run rapid HIV and syphilis testing sessions:
- Free rapid HIV and syphilis tests
- LGBTQ+-affirming environment
- Counselling and community support
- Croatian and English
Check their website for testing session dates and times.
HZJZ — Croatian Institute of Public Health
HZJZ (Hrvatski Zavod za Javno Zdravstvo) Rockefellerova 7, 10000 Zagreb | hzjz.hr
HZJZ operates testing clinics and coordinates public sexual health programming. They offer HIV and STI testing at their Zagreb location and work with regional public health institutes in Split, Rijeka, and Osijek.
For regional options, contact the Nastavni Zavod za Javno Zdravstvo in your city (NZZJZ Splitsko-Dalmatinske, Primorsko-Goranske, etc.).
Three-Site Testing Gap
If you're sexually active as a gay or bisexual man, you need three-site testing: throat swab, rectal swab, and urethral swab for gonorrhoea and chlamydia — not just a blood test for HIV.
Request this explicitly at CheckPoint Zagreb or your specialist:
"Trebam testiranje na spolno prenosive bolesti, uključujući briseve grla, rektuma i uretre." ("I need STI testing including throat, rectal, and urethral swabs.")
Not all testing sites automatically offer three-site panels — HUHIV / CheckPoint Zagreb and the UHID infectious disease unit are the most comprehensive.
HZZO Coverage and Costs
Community testing at CheckPoint Zagreb and Iskorak is free for everyone — no HZZO (health insurance) required.
At public hospitals and clinics (UHID, KBC Split, etc.), HZZO coverage and EHIC (for EU visitors) typically covers medically indicated testing. Without coverage, testing at private labs costs approximately €50–100 for a full panel.
Private testing: Private laboratory chains in Zagreb can provide full panels quickly. Costs are similar to other EU countries.
How Often to Test
| Sexual activity | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|
| Regular new partners | Every 3 months |
| On PrEP | Every 3 months (mandatory for programme) |
| Specific exposure | 4–6 weeks HIV; 1–2 weeks bacterial STIs |
| Steady partner(s) only | Every 6–12 months |