In short: A verified site has a confirmed contact for patient enquiries, a record of following up on referrals, measured responsiveness, and a recruitment status confirmed directly with us. Verification concerns communication and up-to-date information. It is not an assessment of medical quality.
What we look at?
Confirmed contact. We check that we have a direct, working contact at the site. This is a person or team who has confirmed that they receive and handle patient enquiries sent through ClinicalTrials.eu. Your details reach someone who is expecting them, not a general inbox.
History of successful referrals. We look at what happened after patients were referred to the site, and whether the study team actually got in touch with them. A consistent track record tells us that a referral leads to a real conversation.
Responsiveness. We monitor how quickly each site replies to us and to patients. A faster response means you learn sooner whether a study might be right for you, and every day matters when you are considering treatment options. Responsiveness is shown on each site's profile, so you can always see how quickly a given site typically responds.
Confirmed recruitment status. Public trial registries are not always up to date. That is why we ask sites to confirm directly which studies are actively recruiting there. With this confirmation, we can refer you to a place where enrolment is really open, rather than to a study that has already closed.
The fast track
Some verified sites are marked as fast track. This means two things have been confirmed. First, the site has confirmed its details with us, including its contact information and which studies it is recruiting for. Second, we have measured consistently high responsiveness from its study team.
When you are referred to a fast-track site, you can expect a shorter wait between your enquiry and your first conversation with the study team. You can make the process even quicker by replying promptly to our messages and keeping your contact details up to date.
How verification works
Verification is carried out for sites that collaborate with ClinicalTrials.eu. We review each site's information regularly, and a site that no longer meets our criteria loses its Verified status. Its profile reflects the current situation, including responsiveness and the date its recruitment status was last confirmed.
What verification does not mean
The Verified label is about communication and up-to-date information. It is not an assessment of a site's medical quality, safety, or results. Every clinical trial conducted in the European Union must be approved by the relevant regulatory authority and an ethics committee, whether or not the site is verified.
Sites without the label may also be excellent. For these sites, we rely on information from public registries, which may be less current. In every case, your eligibility for a study is decided by the study doctor, not by ClinicalTrials.eu.
Are you a research site?
Verification helps patients find you and helps your team receive enquiries from well-informed, motivated patients. It also gives you a profile that shows exactly which studies you are recruiting for.
❓ Can I contact a site that is not verified?
Yes. You can still send an enquiry about any study listed on our platform. The process may take longer, because we need to establish contact with the study team first.
❓ Does being referred to a verified site mean I will be enrolled in the study?
No. Every study has its own eligibility criteria. The study doctor decides whether you can take part after assessing your medical situation.
❓ Can a site lose its Verified status?
Yes. We review verification regularly. A site that stops meeting our criteria, for example because it no longer responds to referrals or does not confirm its recruitment status, loses the Verified label. Each site's profile also shows its current responsiveness, so you can always see how quickly it typically replies.
