The Short Version

ARAS (Asociația Română Anti-SIDA) runs Bucharest's best community testing point — free, anonymous, and without the judgment or bureaucracy of the public hospital system. For rapid HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C testing, ARAS is your first call. For a complete bacterial swab panel, you will need to supplement at a private lab.

Romania has one of the highest HIV rates in the EU, and a healthcare environment that can be challenging for gay and bisexual men. Knowing where to go makes a real difference.

ARAS Checkpoint (Bucharest)

Organisation: ARAS — Asociația Română Anti-SIDA Website: aras.ro Address: Str. Candiano Popescu 26A, Sector 4, Bucharest Phone: 021 252 43 70 Hours: Check aras.ro for current schedule

ARAS offers:

  • Rapid HIV test (free, anonymous)
  • Rapid syphilis and hepatitis C testing
  • HIV counselling and post-test support
  • Referrals to PrEP programme at Matei Balș or Victor Babeș hospitals
  • PEP information and referrals
  • Condoms and harm reduction materials
  • Psychosocial support and social referrals

You do not need your CNP (national ID number) or health insurance card to access ARAS services. Testing is genuinely anonymous.

The Three-Site Testing Gap

ARAS rapid tests cover blood-borne infections: HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C. They do not provide bacterial swab testing, which is essential for gay and bisexual men.

A complete screen requires:

  • Exsudat faringian — throat swab (gonorrhoea and chlamydia in the throat)
  • Exsudat anal / rectal — rectal swab (gonorrhoea and chlamydia in the rectum)
  • Exsudat uretral — urethral swab (gonorrhoea and chlamydia in the urethra)

Throat and rectal gonorrhoea and chlamydia cause no symptoms in the majority of cases. Relying on blood tests and urine alone will miss these infections.

For bacterial swab testing:

  • Matei Balș Ambulatory — outpatient consultation with an infectious disease specialist; free with CNAS insurance; requires a trimitere (referral) from your medic de familie (GP)
  • Private laboratories — Synevo (synevo.ro), Regina Maria, MedLife — no referral needed; roughly 200–350 RON for a full STI panel including swabs; results in 1–3 days

ARAS staff can advise on the most practical route for your situation.

Matei Balș Institute (Hospital)

Address: Str. Dr. Calistrat Grozovici 1, Sector 2, Bucharest Phone: 021 201 09 80

The Institutul Național de Boli Infecțioase "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș" is the main infectious diseases hospital in Bucharest. For clinical testing and specialist assessment:

  • Ambulatory (outpatient): Requires a trimitere from your medic de familie; covered by CNAS; waiting times apply
  • Camera de Gardă (Emergency): Walk-in for PEP and urgent presentations
  • HIV specialist clinic: For those being initiated on PrEP or in HIV care

The hospital is more bureaucratic than ARAS, and some staff may be less sensitised to gay and bisexual men's needs. An ARAS referral letter helps.

Private Labs (No Referral Required)

  • Synevo (synevo.ro) — multiple Bucharest locations; online booking; STI panel with swabs ~200–300 RON
  • Regina Maria (reginamaria.ro) — private health network; swab testing available
  • MedLife (medlife.ro) — wide national network

Private labs do not require insurance and are not linked to your public health record. For privacy, cash payment at a private lab is the most discreet option.

Practical Summary

For rapid HIV/syphilis/HCV: ARAS Checkpoint — free, anonymous For bacterial swab panel: Synevo or private lab (~200–300 RON) For PrEP referral: ARAS will navigate you to Matei Balș

See also: Romanian vocabulary | PrEP access