Gonorrhea & Syphilis at Record High in Europe – ECDC Report May 2026
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Europe – and the latest figures are alarming. The ECDC report from May 2026 warns of an increase in sexually transmitted infections in Europe, reaching historic proportions. Gonorrhea and syphilis have reached a new high, while cases of congenital syphilis have nearly doubled within a year. In this article, we contextualize the data, explain symptoms and risks in a way that is understandable for laypeople, and specifically show where and how you can get tested in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
What the ECDC Report from May 2026 Shows (Quick Overview)
The EU health authority ECDC, based in Solna, Sweden, published its annual surveillance report on bacterial sexually transmitted infections at the end of May 2026.The data pertains to the reporting year 2024 and paints a disturbing picture: Both the reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis have reached the highest level in more than a decade.
Specifically, a total of 106,331 cases of gonorrhea were registered in Europe in 2024 – an increase of 303 percent since 2015, when the number was around 26,000. Syphilis cases have more than doubled in the same period to 45,577. Chlamydia also remains the most common sexually transmitted infection with 213,443 cases, with the number of unreported cases estimated to be particularly high due to asymptomatic courses.
The most important figures at a glance:
Infectious disease
Reported cases 2024
Change since 2015
Gonorrhea (Clap)
106,331
+303 %
Syphilis
45,577
more than doubled
Congenital syphilis
140 (2024) vs. 78 (2023)
almost doubled
Chlamydia
213,443
stable to slightly increasing
The reporting countries are predominantly EU and EEA states.However, there are data gaps: Not all countries provide complete reports on transmission routes and risk groups, which likely underestimates the actual situation. The report is based on data from up to 29 countries with partially different reporting practices.
Why are gonorrhea and syphilis increasing so significantly in Europe?
The rising case numbers are not due to a single factor, but rather a combination of several developments. Experts attribute the increase in STIs to changed sexual behavior and less use of condoms. More sexual contacts through dating apps, a higher number of partners, and greater sexual freedom after the COVID-19 restrictions have measurably increased the risk of infection.
At the same time, many sexually transmitted infections are mild or completely asymptomatic – especially gonorrhea in the throat or rectum and syphilis in the latent phase.People transmit the infection without knowing they are infected. This makes regular testing a crucial tool for prevention.
Missed prevention opportunities and gaps in precaution significantly contribute to the rise of STIs. According to ECDC, 13 out of 29 surveyed countries charge co-payments for basic STI tests – a barrier that particularly prevents younger people and socially disadvantaged groups from getting tested. Many national strategies are outdated or not adapted to post-pandemic behavioral changes.
Increased testing and better reporting systems have also contributed to higher recorded numbers of STIs – part of the increase is therefore also due to improved diagnostics. Nevertheless, the trend remains clearly upward even after statistical adjustments.
When it comes to antibiotic resistance, another problem emerges: Around 58% of European Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains show resistance to tetracyclines, which limits certain treatment and prophylaxis strategies.
Affected Groups and the Rise of Congenital Syphilis
The diseases do not affect all population groups equally. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are most affected by gonorrhea and syphilis. For syphilis, about 69% of all cases with a known transmission route are attributed to this group, with the highest case numbers in the 25 to 34 age group.
However, the infections are no longer confined to a single group. Syphilis is increasingly spreading in heterosexual networks. The increase in syphilis among women of childbearing age leads to more mother-to-child transmissions – with potentially devastating consequences for newborns.

The main risk groups and trends at a glance:
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MSM (Men who have sex with men): Disproportionately affected by gonorrhea and syphilis, especially in urban areas.
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Heterosexual women and men: Since 2021, syphilis cases have been rising in all age groups, even outside the classic risk groups.
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Pregnant women: An undetected syphilis infection can be transmitted to the unborn child.
Congenital syphilis deserves special attention: Cases of congenital syphilis increased from 78 to 140 between 2023 and 2024 in 14 countries with reporting data – nearly doubling. In congenital syphilis, the pathogen Treponema pallidum is transmitted from the mother to the child during pregnancy or at birth.The consequences can be miscarriages, stillbirths, neurological defects, as well as severe damage to the heart, liver, and nervous system. Three countries – Bulgaria, Portugal, and Hungary – reported over half of all congenital cases.
Health Risks: What happens with untreated gonorrhea and syphilis?
Delaying the diagnosis risks serious long-term damage. Both infections are well treatable – but only if they are detected in time.
Gonorrhea: Consequences for women and men
Gonorrhea can lead to chronic pain and infertility if left untreated. In women, there is a risk of an ascending infection into the pelvis (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), which can cause fallopian tube damage and thus permanent infertility. Additionally, there are chronic lower abdominal pain and an increased risk of pregnancy complications.
In men, untreated gonorrhea can lead to epididymitis, prostate issues, and in rare cases, to disseminated gonococcal infection with joint inflammation. Throat and rectal infections often have mild symptoms, therefore go unnoticed, and contribute to silent spreading.
Syphilis: Long-term Damage
Syphilis progresses in several stages, with the risk increasing with each untreated phase:
|
Stage |
Time Period |
Typical Damage |
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Stage |
Weeks after infection |
Local ulcers, often unnoticed |
|
Secondary Stage |
Weeks to months |
Rash, fever, possible organ involvement |
|
Latency Phase |
Months to years |
No symptoms, but pathogen active |
|
Tertiary Stage |
Years to decades |
Cardiovascular damage, neurosyphilis |
Untreated syphilis can damage the cardiovascular system – leading to aortic aneurysms and endocarditis.In the tertiary stage, severe neurological damage such as meningitis, dementia, and blindness also threaten. These late effects are avoidable if the infection is detected early and treated with antibiotics.
Not to forget: Co-infections with other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or HIV are not uncommon. They worsen the course of the disease and increase the risk of transmission. A comprehensive sexually transmitted diseases test, that covers multiple pathogens simultaneously is therefore more sensible than a single detection.
Typical symptoms – and why many infections go unnoticed
One of the main reasons for the rapid spread: Many sexually transmitted infections progress over weeks or months without noticeable symptoms. Patients feel healthy but pass the pathogen on with every unprotected contact.The following overviews help you categorize possible signs – but do not replace medical diagnostics.
Gonorrhea: Common Symptoms in Women and Men
Gonorrhea – colloquially known as the clap – presents different symptoms depending on gender and body region:
In women:
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Increased or purulent vaginal discharge
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Burning or pain during urination
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Spotting or unusual bleeding outside of the menstrual period
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Lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse
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Often asymptomatic – especially with throat or anal infections
In men:
-
Yellow-green, purulent discharge from the urethra
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Burning or pain during urination
Swelling or pain in the testicular area
-
In throat infections: Sore throat, sometimes no symptoms
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Rectum: Itching, pain, discharge – often with few symptoms
A negative "self-check" based on this list is not sufficient.The frequent asymptomatic courses make a gonorrhea test sensible even without symptoms.
Syphilis: Signs in the Different Stages
Primary Stage:
-
One or more painless sores (ulcers) on the genitals, in the anal area, or in the mouth
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The sores heal on their own without treatment – but the infection remains
Secondary Stage:
-
Rash on the body, often also on the palms and soles of the feet
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Flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, and body aches
-
Swollen lymph nodes
-
Patchy hair loss
-
Mucous membrane changes in the mouth and genital area
Latent Syphilis:
-
Symptom-free phase that can last months to years
The pathogen remains active in the body and can later cause long-term damage
Crucial: Symptoms may disappear on their own, even though the infection persists.A test – via blood sampling for syphilis antibodies – is the only reliable method for clarification. Missing or mild symptoms are not an exclusion for an infection.

Testing for Gonorrhea and Syphilis: Options in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Early testing is the most important lever to curb sexually transmitted infections and interrupt chains of infection. The ECDC calls for easier access to tests and faster treatments – especially with frequently changing or new sexual partners, testing should become routine.
Where can you get tested?
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General practitioner
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Gynecology or Urology
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HIV/STI specialized practices
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Health departments (often free and anonymous services)
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AIDS support and NGO counseling centers
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Mobile screening units in major cities
Costs and reimbursement – the differences in the DACH region:
|
Country |
Cost coverage |
Anonymous tests |
|---|---|---|
|
Germany |
Covered by insurance if there is a justified suspicion; health departments often free |
Yes, through health departments |
|
Austria |
Varies by state; partly preventive, partly chargeable |
Partially possible |
|
Switzerland |
Mostly private medical; insurance in case of medical indication |
Yes, through counseling centers |
Which samples are required?
-
Syphilis: Blood test to determine antibodies (RPR, TPHA)
-
Gonorrhea: Swabs from urethra, cervix, throat, or rectum; alternatively a urine sample (PCR-based)
The possibility of anonymous tests is particularly important for people who fear stigmatization.Shame should not be a reason to forgo diagnostics – and this is exactly where home test offers come in.
STI tests at home with Probatix Health: Discreet, fast, lab-accurate
Not everyone wants to go to the waiting room for an STI test. Probatix Health GmbH offers lab tests for home use – including blood, swab, and urine tests for gonorrhea, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections. The evaluation is carried out in accredited partner laboratories, making the results just as reliable as a doctor's visit.
This is how the process works:
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Order: Select STI test kit online – e.g., the STI-Check Complete or the STI-Check Basic for the most common infections.
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Receive: Delivery in a neutral package – no indication of the contents.
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Sample collection: Instructions are included, collection takes a few minutes.
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Send & Result: Return in the prepaid envelope to the partner laboratory. Digital results appear within a few days in the personal health portal.
The advantages are obvious: high laboratory accuracy, maximum data protection, no waiting room, fast results. For patients who are hesitant to visit a doctor, this significantly lowers the threshold – and that is crucial for detecting more infections early.
For health apps, telemedicine platforms, pharmacies, and medical practices, Probatix also offers a Diagnostics-as-a-Service model (DaaS) with API integration and digital workflow. This allows STI panel tests to be seamlessly integrated into existing digital health offerings.

Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections
The numbers in the ECDC report are alarming, but not inevitable. The ECDC emphasizes the need for preventive measures such as the use of condoms – and everyone can contribute.
Specific Protective Measures:
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Consistently use condoms and dental dams – especially with new or multiple sexual partners. Condoms should be used with new or multiple sexual partners as they have been proven to reduce the risk of gonorrhea and syphilis.
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Schedule regular STI tests – especially for MSM, people with frequently changing partners, and women who are planning to conceive or are pregnant.
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Communicate openly about STI status – before engaging in sex.A conversation about the last test protects both sides.
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Check vaccination protection: Hepatitis B and HPV are preventable through vaccination.
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Pregnant women: Take advantage of syphilis screening in early pregnancy. Early treatment before the third trimester can prevent transmission to the child.
Early diagnosis and treatment not only protect one's own health but also safeguard partners and unborn children from severe consequences – including congenital syphilis. Those who take the trend of recent years seriously understand: An STI test is not a taboo, but part of responsible prevention.
Bruno Ciancio from the ECDC emphasized that, according to the ECDC, more resources urgently need to be allocated to low-threshold testing services, education, and faster treatment to break the chains of infection.In a time when sexually transmitted diseases are reaching a record high, it is also up to each individual to take responsibility.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned or notice symptoms, get tested. You can order a discreet, lab-based STI test anytime through Probatix Health – no appointment, no waiting room, with results in a few days.



