The Short Version

Sweden has some of the best sexual health infrastructure for gay and bisexual men in Europe. In Stockholm, Venhälsan at Södersjukhuset is world-class — free, specifically for gay and bisexual men and trans people, and staffed by people who understand the community. RFSL's testing points offer rapid anonymous testing in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Thanks to the Smittskyddslagen (Communicable Diseases Act), all testing for HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis is free by law.

The main catch is the Personnummer. Without a Swedish personal identity number, booking through 1177.se is difficult. See the vocabulary guide for options.

Venhälsan (Stockholm)

Address: Sjukhusbacken 14, 118 83 Stockholm (Hiss S, Floor -1) Website: 1177.se → search "Venhälsan" / or via södersjukhuset.se Phone: 08-123 625 00 For: Gay and bisexual men, trans people, and others who have sex with men Cost: Free (Smittskyddslagen) Booking: Via 1177.se (requires BankID for self-booking) or by phone

Venhälsan ("Venereological Health") is arguably the finest specialist sexual health clinic for gay and bisexual men in the Nordic countries. Services include:

  • Full STI panel: HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis
  • Three-site swab testing (svalgsekret, rektalodling, uretraprov — throat, rectal, urethral)
  • PrEP prescribing and monitoring
  • PEP consultations and referrals
  • Mpox and Hep B vaccination
  • Psychosexual counselling
  • Chemsex support services

Staff are trained and experienced in gay and bisexual men's health. The clinic tone is non-judgmental and affirming.

The Three-Site Requirement

At Venhälsan, three-site swab testing is standard for gay and bisexual men — they will offer this routinely. If you go to a general sexual health clinic (Sesam mottagning) or GP, you may need to request it explicitly:

  • Svalgsekret / svalgutstrykning — throat swab
  • Rektalodling / rektal provtagning — rectal swab
  • Uretraprov — urethral swab

Throat and rectal gonorrhoea and chlamydia are almost always asymptomatic. At Venhälsan you will be asked about your sexual practices and offered the relevant tests — answer honestly.

RFSL Testpoint

Organisation: RFSL — Riksförbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas, transpersoners, queeras och intersexpersoners rättigheter Website: rfsl.se

RFSL runs rapid anonymous testing points in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Services typically include:

  • Rapid HIV test
  • Rapid syphilis test
  • Anonymous — no Personnummer required
  • Free or low-cost
  • Community atmosphere

RFSL Testpoint is ideal if you want rapid testing without navigating the formal healthcare booking system, or if you are a visitor without a Personnummer. Check rfsl.se for current locations, hours, and booking procedures — these change seasonally.

Sesam Mottagning (Sexual Health Clinics)

Most Swedish regions have dedicated sexual health clinics (Sesam mottagning or Könsmottagning) at larger hospitals, such as Karolinska in Stockholm. These are excellent and free under Smittskyddslagen for the covered conditions. They serve a broader population than Venhälsan but are well-equipped.

At a Sesam clinic, you may need to specifically request three-site swab testing and clarify your sexual practices to ensure you get the appropriate tests.

1177.se — The Booking Portal

1177.se is the national healthcare booking portal and advice line. Most clinic appointments, including at Venhälsan, are booked here. Full functionality requires Swedish BankID (linked to a Personnummer).

If you do not have a Personnummer:

  • Call the clinic directly (Venhälsan: 08-123 625 00) — phone booking is possible
  • RFSL Testpoint does not require Personnummer
  • For urgent needs, walk-in is possible at some clinics

Results & Next Steps

If you have a Swedish personal identity number and BankID, your lab results from Venhälsan or a Sesam clinic will typically appear in your digital medical journal on 1177.se.

Rapid point-of-care tests give a result the same visit; lab-processed STI results typically take about a week. If you do not have a Personnummer and BankID (and so cannot see results on 1177.se), the clinic will arrange another way to give you your results — usually a phone call or a follow-up visit — so ask how they will reach you before you leave.

If you test positive for a condition covered by the Smittskyddslagen (including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia), the clinic will contact you directly. By law, treatment for these infections is free. You are also required to participate in partner tracing (smittspårning), where a specialist helps anonymously notify your recent sexual partners so they can get tested.

If you use RFSL Testpoint for rapid testing, you receive your results in minutes. If a rapid test is reactive (positive), you will be referred to a formal clinic like Venhälsan for a confirmatory venous blood draw and treatment.

Practical Summary

Specialist care for gay/bisexual men: Venhälsan — Södersjukhuset, Stockholm Rapid anonymous testing: RFSL Testpoint — rfsl.se General sexual health: Sesam mottagning at regional hospitals All legally mandated STI testing: Free under Smittskyddslagen