Table 1. Screening policy in the 18 European countries.
| Country/region | Onset of screening programme or policy | Age range targeted (since year) | Recommended screening interval | Charge of smear for the women | Recommended number of lifetime smears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 1966 | Not specified (1966) | 1 year | Free | Not specified |
| Denmark | 1967 | 23–59 (1986) | 3 years (some counties 5 years in >45 or 50) | Free | 13 |
| Finland | 1963 | 30–60 (1993) | 5 years | Free | 7 |
| Hungary | 2003, pilot 1997 | 25–65 (1997) | 3 years, after one negative smear | Free | 15 |
| Iceland | 1964 | 20–69 (1988) | 2 years | Partial contribution (31 USD) | 25 |
| Lithuania | 2001 | 30–60 (2001) | 5 years | Free or partial contribution (5 euro) | 7 |
| Luxembourg | 1962 | 15+ (1990) | 1 year | Free | ∼70 |
| Netherlands | 1980 | 30–60 (1996) | 5 years | Free | 7 |
| Norway | 1995, pilot 1992 (programme in one county in 1959–1977) | 25–69 (1992) | 3 years | Partial contribution | 15 |
| Slovakia | — (intention) | 25–64 (—) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Slovenia | 2003 (1955 opportunistic) | 20–64 (2002) | 3 years | Free | 15 |
| Sweden | 1967–1973 in different counties, Gothenburg 1977 | 23–60 (1999) | 3 years in ages 23–50 years; 5 years in ages 51–60 years | Complete contribution in most counties; free or partial in some counties | 12 |
| Switzerland | No data | 18–69 (—) | 3 years | Partial contribution | 18 |
| UK | 1988 | 20–64 (1988, under review) | 3–5 years (currently 3 years in ages 25–49 years and 5 years in ages 50–64 years) | Free | 10–17 (12) |
| France | |||||
| Bas-Rhin | 1994 | 25–65 (1990) | 3 years | Partial contribution | 14 |
| Doubs | 1993 | 20–65 (1993) | 3 years (after two normal exams with 1 year interval) | Reimbursement | 17 |
| Isére | 1990 | 50–69 (1990) | 3 years | Free | 7 |
| Germany | |||||
| Saarland | 1971 | 20–85+ (1982) | 1 year | Free | ∼65 |
| Italy | |||||
| Florence | 1982 | 25–64 (1995) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Genova | 1992 | 25–64 (1992) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Parma | 1998 | 25–64 (1998) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Ragusa | No data | 25–64 (1996) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Torino | 1992 | 25–64 (1992) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Varese | No data | 25–64 (1996) | 3 years | Free | 14 |
| Spain | |||||
| Catalonia | No data | 20–64 (1993) | 3–5 years: initially two smears 1 year apart. Then, 3 years in ages 20–34 years and 5 years in ages 35–64 years | Free or partial contribution | 12 |