Everything in NHS sexual health is free and confidential, including testing, treatment, PrEP and vaccination — for everyone, regardless of GP registration, address or immigration status. The main routes are a sexual health clinic or a free postal testing kit, and your GP is not told unless you ask them to be.
- Free at every stage: tests, treatment, PrEP, vaccinations.
- Postal kits in most areas mean you need not attend anywhere.
- Sexual health records are held separately from your main NHS record.
- You can use any clinic, not only one in your registered area.
As of 13 August 2026, Fab Guys has 129 active profiles in the UK, of which 80 were online in the last few minutes. The median age is 36 and 16% have a verified photo. Messaging is free.
Figures are read directly from the live database at page load and are not rounded up.
The guides in this section
- Free STI testing in the UK — the three routes, postal kits, confidentiality, timings
- PrEP in the UK — what it is, how NHS access works, what it does not cover
- U=U explained — undetectable means untransmittable, and why stigma persists anyway
What NHS sexual health services cover
| Service | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|
| STI testing | Free | Clinic or free postal kit |
| Treatment for STIs | Free | Sexual health clinic |
| PrEP (HIV prevention) | Free | Sexual health clinic |
| PEP (emergency, after exposure) | Free | Clinic or A&E — time-critical |
| Hepatitis A and B vaccination | Free | Sexual health clinic |
| HPV vaccination | Free for eligible groups | Sexual health clinic |
| Condoms | Free | Most clinics and some local schemes |
Find services via NHS service search; in Scotland, NHS inform.
Confidentiality, in detail
This is the barrier that stops people going, so it is worth being specific:
- Your GP is not automatically informed. Sexual health services keep records separately from your main NHS record.
- No permanent address needed to attend a clinic.
- No GP registration needed.
- Any clinic, anywhere. You are not restricted to your own area, which matters if discretion is a concern in a small town.
- Partner notification is anonymous — partners can be told they should test without your name being given.
PEP: the time-critical one
PEP is emergency medication taken after a possible HIV exposure. It must be started as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72. If you think you may have been exposed, contact a sexual health clinic immediately, or A&E outside clinic hours. Do not wait for an appointment.
Talking about it on dating apps
Two things worth stating plainly, because both come up constantly:
- Nobody is entitled to demand proof of your status or test results. A conversation is reasonable; documentation is not a thing that exists in this context.
- Nobody should shut the conversation down either. Refusing to discuss sexual health at all tells you how someone approaches it.
On language: “clean” used to mean HIV-negative implies the opposite about people living with HIV, and it is worth dropping — see U=U explained.
Support beyond the NHS
Terrence Higgins Trust provides information, testing and support UK-wide. For LGBT+ specific support with abuse or hate crime, Galop runs a free helpline on 0800 999 5428. Switchboard is there if you simply want to talk something through.
Frequently asked questions
Is sexual health care free in the UK?
Yes — testing, treatment, PrEP, PEP and relevant vaccinations are all free on the NHS, for everyone, regardless of GP registration, address or immigration status.
Will my GP be told?
Not unless you ask. Sexual health services keep records separately from your main NHS record and operate under specific confidentiality rules.
Can I get tested without going to a clinic?
In most areas yes — free postal kits are ordered online, taken at home and returned by freepost, with results usually by text within about a week.
What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to HIV?
Contact a sexual health clinic immediately, or A&E outside clinic hours, and ask about PEP. It is time-critical — ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72.
Do I need to be registered with a GP?
No. You can use sexual health services without a GP, without a fixed address, and at any clinic rather than only one in your own area.
How often should I get tested?
Guidance suggests regular testing for men who have sex with men, and more often with new or multiple partners. The interval that applies to you is a clinical question — a sexual health service will advise based on your circumstances.