You do not want to wait days for an appointment, you just want clarity now. Good news: an STI test without an appointment is possible, and often faster than you think. You skip the waiting room and the GP diary, and you still get a reliable result. Below you read which routes work without an appointment.
I line up the fastest options.
Want to test without the hassle? You can arrange an STI test without an appointment online and visit a regular lab.
Can you do an STI test without an appointment?
Yes, you can do an STI test without an appointment. Through an online order you take a sample at home, or you visit a sampling location at a time that suits you. You need no referral and no scheduled consultation. The laboratory delivers the same quality as the GP.
At the GP, and often at the GGD, you do need an appointment or registration.
Which routes work without an appointment?
In short: a home test with self-collection and a sampling location with walk-in or wide time slots are the routes that work without a classic appointment. The table below lines up speed and privacy.
| Route | Appointment needed? | Speed | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home test, self-collect and post | No | Result usually in 2 to 3 working days | Anonymous, no record |
| Sampling location after online order | No or wide time slot | A few working days | Separate from your GP |
| GP | Yes | Appointment plus lab time | Goes into your record |
| GGD clinic | Usually register | Variable, sometimes a waiting list | Registration with the GGD |
Unsure which place is handiest? Read where you can test anonymously.
Without an appointment at the GGD: is that possible?
At the GGD a walk-in clinic is sometimes possible, but usually you register and criteria apply. The GGD also mainly tests risk groups. The RIVM describes this additional care as aimed at specific groups, so walking in without an appointment is not a given everywhere.
If you are turned away, read your alternatives in GGD STI test refused, these are your options.
How quickly do you get results without an appointment?
You usually have clarity within two to three working days once your sample reaches the lab. The time saved is mainly up front: you do not wait for a free slot in a diary. That convenience lowers the barrier, and more people get tested when it is this simple (PMID 29281628).
To know how long you wait for your result exactly, read STI test results: how long you have to wait.
Reliability without an appointment
Without an appointment does not mean less reliable. For chlamydia and gonorrhoea, self-collection is about as accurate as health-worker collection (PMID 26168051), and HIV self-tests perform well according to a large review (PMID 34278282). Quality depends on the right moment, not on an appointment.
To check broadly at once, an STI screen for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas covers the most common infections. More background is in the guide on STI testing at home.
What to watch without an appointment
Without an appointment the same rule applies: test at the right moment. The window period differs per infection, so a test that falls too early can give a false negative. Collect your sample carefully too, because too little material lowers the reliability of your result.
If you have symptoms that linger or a positive result, still call in a doctor. Testing without an appointment is fast and private, but you arrange the next step with professional help that fits your situation.
Sources
- Lunny C, et al. Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2015. PMID 26168051.
- Jaya ZN, et al. Accuracy of self-collected versus healthcare worker collected specimens for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in females: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2024. PMID 38714714.
- Jamil MS, et al. Examining the effects of HIV self-testing compared to standard HIV testing services in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2021. PMID 34278282.
- Johnson CC, et al. Examining the effects of HIV self-testing compared to standard HIV testing services: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International AIDS Society. 2017. PMID 28530049.
- Wilson E, et al. Internet-accessed sexually transmitted infection (e-STI) testing and results service: a randomised, single-blind, controlled trial. PLoS Medicine. 2017. PMID 29281628.
- RIVM. Sexual health and STIs: information and guidelines. rivm.nl.
- Thuisarts.nl / NHG. I want to get tested for an STI.
An STI test can confirm or rule out an infection, but it does not replace a consultation. Our results are reviewed by a doctor, and with symptoms, doubt or a positive result you should talk to a doctor or the GGD.
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