The single biggest reason people in Ireland put off STI testing is that they don't know what happens at the appointment. They picture something invasive, embarrassing, or judgmental. The actual experience is almost never any of those things. This page walks through what really happens — at a free HSE clinic, at your GP, and at home — so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Your three free options in Ireland
Free HSE sexual health clinic
Every county has one. No GP referral. Free. In-person.
Free home test kit (sh24.ie)
HSE-partnered. Anyone 17+. Order online, test at home, post the sample. Free.
Your GP
Typically €50–€70. Free with a medical card or GP Visit Card. Most thorough if discussing other issues at the same time.
Most people we know choose between the HSE clinic and sh24. Clinics are better if you want to talk through anything or have visible symptoms; sh24 is better if you want maximum convenience and have no symptoms. Both are good. Pick the one you'll actually do.
Step by step — at a free HSE clinic
Book the appointment
Most HSE sexual health clinics now operate by appointment. Phone the clinic directly (the numbers for every clinic are on the testing directory or your county page) or use the HSE clinic finder. Some accept walk-ins — check first.
Arrive and check in
You give your name (or an alias — many clinics allow first-name-only). You're called into a private room. There is no scene at reception, no public callout, and the waiting room is usually a normal hospital outpatient setting with other people there for many different reasons.
The questions
A clinician (doctor or nurse) asks you a few questions about why you're there: any symptoms, when your last sexual contact was, whether you used protection, what kind of sex you've been having (vaginal, anal, oral), whether you've ever been tested before. This is to work out which tests are most relevant — not to judge you. They have heard every possible answer before. Honest answers get you the right tests.
The tests
Depending on what's being checked, you'll do some combination of: a urine sample (peeing in a cup — usually first-catch urine), a swab (a small cotton swab, sometimes self-collected, sometimes by the clinician), and a blood draw (a small needle into your arm — the same as any blood test). It's quick, mostly painless, and far less invasive than people fear.
You leave
That's the appointment. Usually under 30 minutes from check-in. You'll be told when to expect results and how — by text, phone, or sometimes a secure online portal.
Results — usually 7 to 14 days
The clinic contacts you. Many clinics use "no news is good news" — they only contact you if something needs a follow-up. Others always contact you with the all-clear too. Ask which when you leave so you know what to expect.
If anything is positive
The clinic explains what was found, the treatment, and how to take it. Treatment is free. They'll also help you with partner notification — a free anonymous service that lets your recent partners know they should test, without revealing your name. Almost everything they find is curable with antibiotics or easily managed.
What about sh24 home testing?
Free HSE-partnered home test kits via sh24.ie are excellent if you have no symptoms and just want to know. Here's the process:
- Order online (free; requires an Irish address and you have to be 17+).
- Kit arrives in plain packaging — no logos.
- You collect the samples at home — a urine sample, a finger-prick blood spot, sometimes a vaginal swab. Clear instructions in the box.
- You post the sealed sample back in the prepaid envelope.
- Results by text or phone from a clinician, usually within a week.
The standard sh24 panel tests for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis. If you have visible symptoms or need additional tests (herpes, HPV, hepatitis), a clinic visit is the better route.
What about the GP?
Any GP in Ireland can arrange a full STI screen. The usual cost is €50–€70, or free with a medical card or GP Visit Card. Ask for a "full STI screen". It's a normal request — they hear it constantly and it doesn't go on any record that's accessible to anyone outside the practice. Same tests as the clinic; results back the same way.
What do they actually test for?
A standard "full STI screen" in Ireland normally covers:
- Chlamydia — urine sample or swab
- Gonorrhoea — urine sample or swab
- HIV — blood test
- Syphilis — blood test
Additional tests added depending on your history or symptoms:
- Hepatitis B and C — blood test
- Herpes — swab of an active sore (no useful blood test exists for symptomless herpes)
- HPV / cervical screening — cervical swab, for people with a cervix in the relevant age range
- Trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, bacterial vaginosis — swab
Common worries — addressed honestly
- "Will they judge me?" They will not. Sexual health clinicians chose this speciality. They do this all day. They have heard every story. There is no judgment in the room.
- "Is it on my medical record?" Care at a free HSE sexual health clinic is recorded internally to the clinic but is not shared with your GP without your consent. Tests done at your GP are on your GP record but it is private medical information.
- "Can I use a fake name?" Most HSE clinics will accept first-name-only or an alias. You will be asked for a contact number for results.
- "What if I'm a student / immigrant / undocumented?" HSE sexual health services are free regardless of medical card status, PPS number, or immigration status. You do not need to prove eligibility.
- "How long are results?" Usually 7–14 days. If you haven't heard after 2 weeks, ring the clinic — don't assume "no news is good news" unless you were told that explicitly.
- "What if it's positive?" The clinic explains it, treats it, and helps you tell partners. Almost every STI in Ireland is easily managed.
Where to go from here
Important: Nothing on STI.ie is medical advice. The HSE Sexual Health Line is free and anonymous: 1800 700 700.