Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but being informed is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.
Recent figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) helped reveal that STDs remain a real concern in Germany, especially in urban centres like Berlin.
The data reveals that rates of infections such as syphilis, HIV and gonorrhoea are higher in some areas than others.
What do the latest figures show?
The RKI’s data formed the basis of the STD City Index Germany, compiled by the adult platform Erobella. The index ranks the rates of syphilis, HIV and gonorrhoea in 70 German cities (or city districts in the case of large cities like Berlin).
These rates are measured per 100,000 inhabitants, which allows for a fair comparison between cities of different sizes and populations.
For example, Berlin’s Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district reported nearly 70 cases of syphilis per 100,000 people in 2025 – making it the single highest incidence location for syphilis in the country.
Berlin’s dominance is striking. Four of the top ten locations for syphilis are Berlin districts (Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Mitte and Neukölln), and the city also features heavily in the top ten for both gonorrhoea and HIV.
When it comes to HIV, the city of Fürth in Bavaria stands out as an anomaly. Despite being much smaller than Berlin, it tops the national list with an incidence rate of 19.69 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas most other cities with high HIV rates are large urban centres.
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Chemnitz and Hamburg also have high HIV rates.
Gonorrhoea is another infection where Berlin’s prevalence is clear. The Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district leads the country with 10.13 cases per 100,000 people, with Berlin’s Mitte, Neukölln and Reinickendorf districts also in the top ten.
Leipzig comes close behind, and the smaller city of Halle also reports high rates.
What people need to know about getting tested in Germany
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is the broader term for infections passed sexually, while Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) specifically refer to a recognisable illness. Essentially, all STDs start as STIs but not all STIs progress to become STDs – which is why STI is generally the preferred term when it comes to testing.
If you want to get tested for an STI in Germany, the most straightforward option is to visit a gynaecologist, urologist or your general practitioner (Hausarzt).
But there can be issues around whether your insurance will cover the cost of these tests.
Generally statutory health insurance (GKV) will only cover STI tests if your doctor thinks you have symptoms or are at risk.
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Routine screening without symptoms isn’t usually covered by statutory insurance, unless you’re in a high-risk group or pregnant, but public health service agencies (Gesundheitsämte) offer free and anonymous HIV tests.
Private insurance (PKV) tends to vary by policy, so it’s worth checking what’s covered under your specific plan.
If you do test positive for any STI, you’ll need to see your doctor. In some cases they may give you a referral to see a specialist.
Useful words and phrases to know
Navigating the German healthcare system can much easier if you know a few key words and phrases.
In German, STIs are called Sexuell übertragbare Infektionen (STI) – the direct translation of the English "Sexually Transmitted Infections" – but people often use the more intuitive term Geschlechtskrankheiten (venereal diseases) in conversation.
Generally speaking the German terms for most STIs are similar or identical to the English terms. Hence HIV is HIV-Infektion or just HIV (pronounced ha-ee-fow), syphilis is Syphilis and Gonorrhoea is Gonorrhoe (or Tripper). In the same vein, Chlamydia is Chlamydieninfektion, and Hepatitis B is Hepatitis B.
One STI which bucks this trend is pubic lice, know as Filzlausbefall in German (literally “felt” – as in the material – “louse” “infestation”).
And here are some phrases that might come in handy for visits to the doctor or dealing with insurance questions:
Ich möchte mich auf sexuell übertragbare Infektionen testen lassen.
I would like to get tested for sexually transmitted infections.
Habe ich Symptome einer STI?
Do I have the symptoms of an STI?
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Deckt meine Krankenkasse STI-Tests ab?
Does my health insurance cover STI tests?
Kann ich anonym testen?
Can I test anonymously?
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