Yes! We work on a walk-in basis.

Please note: before you come in, it is important that you complete the online part first:

- Complete the online consultation. 
- Adjust the advice to suit your own preferences if you wish.
- Enter your details.
- Make the payment.

Once you have done this, you will receive an email with a QR code, so we can help you straight away at the location.

The GP appointment itself does not cost you anything. However, the cost of STI testing and medication comes out of your compulsory excess. This means you will receive a bill from your health insurer afterwards, of up to €385.

At ZIZ, we have developed something new together with health insurers: instead of the GP, laboratory and pharmacy each claiming separately from your health insurer, we have created a single all-inclusive care package covering your entire STI care pathway.

You pay part of the cost up front and your health insurer pays a fixed amount of €31.98 without affecting your compulsory excess. This makes care through ZIZ cheaper and easier for you, with no unexpected costs afterwards.

This unique partnership with health insurers means we can offer you quality care at the lowest possible price.

Opening hours (all locations):

Monday 09.00 to 17.00
Tuesday 09.00 to 17.00
Wednesday 09.00 to 17.00
Thursday 12.00 to 20.00
Friday 09.00 to 17.00
Saturday 11.00 to 17.00

We take your privacy seriously, of course. This is described in detail in our privacy statement. 
 

Important to know: when you use ZIZ, we create a patient record for you. This contains only the essential information we are required to record by law under the Dutch Medical Treatment Agreement Act (WGBO): laboratory results, diagnosis, treatment, allergies, and so on. 

Your answers to the eHealth consultation can only be seen by healthcare professionals directly involved with ZIZ.

Absolutely! Simply go through the online consultation and then choose home sampling.

When it comes to care: the best service we can possibly provide, of course!

Please bear in mind, though, that ZIZ stands for "Zinnige InfectieZorg" (sensible infection care). We provide insured care and we are not a commercial clinic. The idea of 'I'm paying, so I decide' therefore does not apply at ZIZ. We are happy to think along with you, but where tests are requested that are not clinically useful, or where testing is too frequent, the expertise of the ZIZ healthcare professional is decisive (always after discussion). We ask for your understanding, and we are happy to help you find an alternative for requests we are unable to help with.

No, if you test through ZIZ you never receive an invoice.

The reason for this is that it would then be possible for the costs to be claimed from health insurers after all. 
That would be a double claim, because the health insurer's contribution is already included in the price.

Stichting ZIZ is a not-for-profit organisation and we try to keep the administrative burden on our operation as low as possible, so that we can provide STI care as cheaply and accessibly as possible. For this reason, we are also unable to make exceptions for people with foreign insurance or people who are testing for another reason.

We ask for your understanding and would like to point out that we are not obliged to issue an invoice (source).

For women, an STD test is done using a swab from your vagina, throat and/or anus. You take the sample yourself in the toilet, following the instructions provided.

Some tests require a blood sample. If you visit one of our locations, we take the blood sample for you. If you test at home, you do this yourself with a finger-prick test.

For men, we almost always test a urine sample. It is important that you have not urinated for at least one hour before the test.

As well as urine, other parts of the body can be tested, such as your throat or anus. You take these samples yourself, following the instructions provided.

Some tests require a blood sample. If you visit one of our locations, we take the blood sample for you. If you test at home, you do this yourself with a finger-prick test.

Yes, you can. Just keep it in the fridge between collecting the sample and sending it.

Always make sure that you collect and send the sample on the same day, and that you post it before 5 pm, from Sunday to Thursday.

Please note: On Sundays, only post boxes for medical post are emptied. To find a medical post box near you, use PostNL's location finder and click 'brief posten' and 'medisch'.

The sample collection kit and the return envelope are delivered to your home in a plain brown cardboard envelope with no logo.

There are three important points for the most reliable test possible:

1. Leave as little time as possible between taking the sample and sending it.

2. Preferably post it Monday to Friday before 5 pm.

3. If necessary, post it on a Sunday in a post box for medical post — see the PostNL location finder.

What should you definitely not do?

- Take the sample and then leave it for several days before posting it.

- Post it on a Friday after 5 pm

- Forget to fill in the time of sampling on the sample card.

Finally, it is good to know that you should return the sample collection kit within 3 months. After that, your registration is automatically deleted and you will need to register again.

No, this is not possible at ZIZ, because we would not be able to sufficiently guarantee that we have met the identification requirements under the Dutch Health Insurance Act.

You can, however, visit us at one of our locations. When you register, make sure you untick the box next to 'I have Dutch health insurance'. You will then need to pay the €31.98 contribution yourself, which we would normally receive from the health insurer.

With a home test, the blood sample is taken with a finger prick. You can do this entirely by yourself.

If you would prefer not to, or if you are unable to do it yourself, you can also visit one of our locations at Utrecht Centraal or Den Haag to have your blood taken in the usual way.

GPs, the GGD (public health service) and other providers send samples away to a laboratory. At ZIZ this is not necessary, because we have a laboratory on site. This means we can test your sample straight away and you receive your results during the same visit.

All our tests meet the same quality standards as tests carried out by a GP or the GGD and are, of course, just as reliable.
 

Absolutely — otherwise health insurers would not want to work with us. 

Unlike many other providers of STI care, we have our own laboratory on site. Our laboratory meets the highest quality standards for medical diagnostics (ISO 15189). This means the results you receive through ZIZ are just as reliable as results you would get from your GP or the GGD.

At ZIZ we offer three types of combination test: 

Vagina+throat: for women

Urine+throat: for men who have sex with women

Urine+anus+throat: for men who have sex with men

These combinations are based on the places where STDs are most common. Testing each part of the body separately can become quite expensive. 

That is why we now offer the combination test. For this test, we mix the samples from the relevant parts of the body and test them all at once, instead of running a separate test for each site.

This has no significant effect on the sensitivity of the test, but it does mean you pay less.

 

For more information, see this article in Seksoa magazine by Soa Aids Nederland

Short answer: yes

Blood in the swab sample has no effect on your result. It remains reliable.

No, you cannot test anonymously at ZIZ. This is because we provide insured care, which means you are required to show proof of identity. 

Even if you indicate at payment that you do not have Dutch health insurance, you still need to show proof of identity. This is something we cannot separate. 

We have developed our online decision aid for exactly this.

If you follow it, you will receive personal advice based on the most up-to-date medical guidelines.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: you can test reliably 2 weeks after sexual contact. If you have symptoms, you can test straight away.

Trichomonas and Mycoplasma: you can test reliably 3–4 weeks after sexual contact. If you have symptoms, you can test straight away.

HIV and syphilis: after 4 weeks, the test can detect 95% of infections; after 12 weeks this is 100%.

Hepatitis B: after 8 weeks the test can detect 95% of infections; after 12 weeks this is 100%.

Hepatitis C: after 8 weeks the test can detect 80% of infections, but only after 6 months is this 100%.

If you are unsure about your situation, you can always go through the ZIZ consultation.

Still not sure? Call us on 085 800 0742

We want to make insured STI care easily accessible, but we also do not want to put our agreement with health insurers under pressure.

If you come in more often than usual, we will discuss this with you.
If there is no good medical reason for frequent testing, we may, as a last resort, refuse access to ZIZ for a certain period.

We also apply a strict upper limit of a maximum of four consultations per person per year at ZIZ. We ask for your understanding, and we are happy to help you find an alternative for requests we are unable to help with.

You will receive an email as soon as your results are ready. 

Once you enter the code you receive by text message, you can view your results straight away in the email. 

You will receive an email as soon as your results are ready. 

Results for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C sometimes say 'reactive'. What exactly does that mean? At ZIZ we use rapid tests so that you know where you stand quickly. These tests are very sensitive. If the result is negative, you can assume that you do not have the infection. 

But because the tests are so sensitive, the test sometimes reacts when there is nothing wrong. This happens in about 1 in 100 tests. We then immediately run an extra test to check the result. The only thing you notice is that the result sometimes takes a little longer.

If the second test is also positive, the diagnosis is certain. If it is negative, there is still a very small chance (<0.01%) that HIV, syphilis or hepatitis is present after all. Because these are serious diagnoses, we then run one more test. This result can take up to 2–3 working days. During this process, your result shows as 'reactive' in the portal. Do you have any questions about this? Call ZIZ on 085 800 0742 and ask to speak to the nurse

The date shown with your result is the date the order was created. This is usually shortly after you paid online. Especially if you have chosen home sampling, the date shown with your result is often not the date on which you received the email saying your result was ready.

Tested with ZIZ more than once? When viewing results, make sure you always click the 'Latest' button so that you see your most recent results.

Yes, we also provide complete PrEP care through ZIZ. Simply start the online consultation. You will automatically be asked whether you would like to receive PrEP care. We arrange everything for you: STI testing, a creatinine test (if needed) and free home delivery of your medication via Nationale Apotheek.

After the online part, you can visit ZIZ for PrEP without an appointment. Please make sure you do not arrive just before closing time. 

At the moment, women and transgender people cannot request PrEP through the eHealth consultation. The easiest way is to request a regular STI consultation online. Then, once you are at the location, ask to speak to the nurse about PrEP before you are tested. We can then adjust your order on site. 

You can come to ZIZ Den Haag for PrEP at these times:

• Monday (all day)
• Tuesday (all day)
• Wednesday (all day)
• Thursday (all day)
• Friday (until 12:00)
• Saturday (all day)

You can come to ZIZ Utrecht for PrEP at these times:

• Monday (all day)
• Tuesday (all day)
• Wednesday (all day)
• Thursday (all day)
• Friday (until 12:00)
• Saturday (all day)

You do not need to make an appointment for PrEP care either.

The cost of PrEP through ZIZ is:

• €22 for 30 tablets (1 month).
• €48 for 90 tablets (3 months).
• €85 for 180 tablets (6 months).

The cost of the required tests at ZIZ is:

• €15 for an HIV test (always required).
• €15 for a hepatitis C test*.
• €15 for a hepatitis B test**.
• €15 for a kidney function test* (creatinine).

*Required when you start, after that only when indicated. 
** If you are not vaccinated against hepatitis B.

The cost of the recommended STI tests, including any free treatment, is:

• €65 for a chlamydia/gonorrhoea sample pool (urine, anus and throat)
• €15 for a syphilis test.
• €15 for a hepatitis B test (if you are not vaccinated).

Below are a few example scenarios to give you an idea of the total cost:

Starting PrEP (vaccinated against hepatitis B): €144

• €22 for 30 PrEP tablets (1 month).
• €15 for an HIV test (always required).
   
• €15 for a hepatitis C test.
• €15 for a syphilis test.
• €15 for a creatinine test.
• €65 for a chlamydia/gonorrhoea sample pool (urine, anus and throat)

Visit after one month: €63

• €48 for 90 PrEP tablets (3 months).
• €15 for an HIV test (always required).

Check-up visit (every 3–6 months): €63 to €237

• €48 to €85 for PrEP (3–6 months)
• €15 to €60 for the required tests
• €0 to €95 for the recommended STI tests

At the moment, the online consultation is only set up so that men who have sex with men (MSM) are asked whether they would like to receive PrEP care through ZIZ.

Are you not MSM, but would you like to use PrEP through ZIZ because you are in a group at increased risk of HIV? Send an email to klantenservice@ziz.nl explaining your situation. We currently assess these requests on an individual basis. 
 

All medicines have side effects. Although the chance of side effects with PrEP is small, you may experience:

• Headaches
• Tiredness
   
• Digestive problems (nausea, stomach ache, diarrhoea, vomiting)

For most people, these symptoms clear up on their own after a few weeks.

PrEP can sometimes affect the kidneys. We see this mainly in people over the age of fifty. For this reason, we always check your kidney function when you start PrEP, and we check it regularly in groups at increased risk.

People who only take PrEP around the time they have sex may get side effects slightly more often than people who take PrEP every day. This is because you take two tablets at once before sex.

Finally, some people have trouble sleeping while taking PrEP. If this affects you, the simplest solution is to take your PrEP tablets in the morning (if you take PrEP every day).

PrEP generally has few interactions with medicines or supplements. We always check this for you.

Medicines
It is especially important to be careful with other medicines that can affect your kidneys, such as certain painkillers (diclofenac, ibuprofen). 

Supplements
If you take creatine as a supplement, for example for the gym, check carefully which type you are using (creatine monohydrate or creatine ethyl ester). The ethyl ester version can affect your kidney function test, making it look as though your kidneys are working less well than they actually are. This can affect whether you are able to start PrEP.

Alcohol and/or drugs
Alcohol and drugs do not affect how PrEP works. There is, of course, still the risk that you forget to take your PrEP.

Option 1: Daily use
This is the simplest option: you take one tablet every day at the same time.

Option 2: Around sex
With this option, you only take PrEP around the time you have sex, following this schedule:
 

• Two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex.
• One tablet 24 hours after the first dose.
• One tablet 48 hours after the first dose.

If you have sex on several days in a row, keep taking PrEP every day and only stop two days (48 hours) after the last sexual contact.
 

If you start PrEP through ZIZ, you always use it daily for the first month. After your check-up appointment at one month, you can decide together with the nurse which option works best for you.

If you have forgotten to take PrEP, you are still at risk of HIV when you have sex.

Here is what to do in each situation: 

a) It is less than 12 hours since you forgot to take your PrEP.
Action: take your PrEP now and then continue taking PrEP as normal the next day, according to your schedule.

b) It is more than 12 hours since you forgot to take your PrEP. 
If you took PrEP every day for the 7 days before that, no action is needed. You are still protected and can simply take PrEP again the next day, according to your schedule.

c) You have forgotten your PrEP for two days or more in a row. 
In that case you are not protected against HIV at that moment. If you are going to have sex now, use a condom. 
If you are not going to have sex in the next two hours, take two tablets. It is then especially important that you also take PrEP on the following two days. 

At ZIZ you are supplied with the Aurobindo brand as standard. 

On request, we can also supply PrEP from other brands. Some people prefer this because they experience fewer side effects with a particular brand. 

These brands cost us more to buy in, so we apply the following additional charges: 

Brand: Accord: 
For 30 tablets: +€5
For 60 tablets: +€10 
For 90 tablets: +€15 
For 180 tablets: +€30  

Brand: TEVA: 
For 30 tablets: +€6
For 60 tablets: +€12 
For 90 tablets: +€18 
For 180 tablets: +€36  

These are therefore additional costs on top of our standard PrEP prices

For safety reasons, we do not accept cash at ZIZ.
If online payment on the website does not work, you can pay by card at the location.

Once you have paid online, you can come in whenever you like during opening hours. 
If you have not been within three months, your registration expires and you will need to register again. 
Paid more than three months ago but have a good reason? Send us a message via the contact page before your visit.

Yes, at ZIZ treatment for the STI is always included in the price at no extra cost.

The exception is HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In those cases, we arrange a free referral to a treatment centre.

If your home test shows that you have an STI, free treatment is included as well.

Please always call us on 085 800 0742 and ask for the nurse for a final check.

If the treatment is tablets, we will have them delivered to your home free of charge.

If you test positive for gonorrhoea, it is slightly more complicated, because the treatment is an injection.

In that case there are three options:

1. You come to ZIZ for your free treatment.

2. You have your treatment kit delivered to your home and we find a healthcare professional near you to administer the medication.

3. A nurse comes to your home to administer the medication.

For this last option we do ask for an additional contribution of €50

If you have visited ZIZ, the treatment normally takes place at the location and we do not send it out.

If you do have a good reason, or would like to discuss it, call us on 085 8000 0742 and we will see what is possible.

Through ZIZ, we can only treat people with whom we have a treatment relationship.

So we cannot treat your regular partner free of charge without seeing them.

Of course, your partner is very welcome to come to ZIZ without an appointment.

LGV is a variant of chlamydia that can cause more serious symptoms and that requires three weeks of treatment instead of one week. 

If we find chlamydia in pooled material, or in an anal swab from men who have sex with men, we carry out an LGV test on the anal swab.

This test is included at no extra cost.