When a group of HIV researchers met on 21–22 January 2008 in Stockholm to discuss HIV testing, they quickly came to the realisation that HIV testing should no longer be subject to ethical parameters that substantially differ from other diseases. The researchers also noted that an estimated 30% of HIV infected persons in EU countries are unaware of their infection, and that many opportunities were being missed to diagnose HIV infections in EU countries. This meeting report paints a concise and comprehensive picture of the current situation of HIV testing in Europe.