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Air quality in Slovakia has been improving over the long term. This is confirmed by the latest Air Quality Report of the Slovak Republic for 2025, published by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI). Monitoring and modelling results show that concentrations of several air pollutants continue to decline across most of the country. However, air quality remains poor in some regions, particularly during the heating season and in areas affected by intensive traffic and industrial activity.

An air quality improvement programme (AQIP) is a strategic planning tool that is developed for a zone and agglomeration in which the concentration of a pollutant exceeds the limit or target value for the protection of human health and vegetation. In a zone or agglomeration where the limit or target value is exceeded, the district office in the regional seat shall develop an AQIP with the aim of achieving and maintaining good air quality in the long term through the measures taken.

The renovation of family houses under the Obnov dom program continues. Parliament has approved legislative changes that will allow the redirection of 186 million euros from the Modernization Fund to the renovation of at least 16,000 family houses of households at risk of energy poverty.

Air quality is one of the key factors that affect our health and the quality of life in the region. In accordance with the obligations arising from the applicable legislation, the Žilina District Office, in cooperation with professional institutions, has developed the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) for the Žilina Region zone. The public now has the opportunity to comment on the strategic document.

On April 14, 2026, the first meeting of the Air and Health working group took place. Air quality is a significant environmental factor affecting public health, and it is therefore in the interest of responsible authorities to adopt measures to improve it and protect public health. The working group is an initiative of the LIFE IP – Air Quality Improvement (Populair) project, aiming to identify areas that go beyond the competencies of the environmental sector and to seek solutions to improve air quality in the interest of protecting the health of Slovakia’s population and meeting international commitments.

The LIFE IP project – Improving Air Quality (Populair) participated in the international networking meeting of the LIFE programme aimed at improving air quality in Europe in early March. The event, entitled Achieving Clean Air for European Citizens through the Ambient Air Quality Directive, was organised by the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and the Environment (CINEA) to bring together LIFE project partners, experts and representatives of the European Commission.

On February 19, 2026, the Trenčín District Office issued and published the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) for the Trenčín Region zone. The document is intended to help reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality, especially in areas threatened by poor air quality. The PZKO measures focus, for example, on local household heating, transport or public information, and are targeted at risk municipalities in the region.

In recent days, the 6th monitoring visit of the LIFE IP project – Improving Air Quality took place, with the participation of a representative from the ELMEN organization, responsible for monitoring and presenting projects supported by the European Union under the LIFE program. The monitoring visit took place in a very constructive and positive atmosphere. The project is progressing successfully and the activities are being implemented according to the approved schedule.

In early December, a mobile monitoring station was installed in Ratnovce, western Slovakia, to measure PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 dust particles in the village for a defined period. This is an important milestone for the village, which has been increasingly active in the issue of air quality in recent years.

An introductory meeting on the update of the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) for the Trnava Region zone was held at the Trnava Self-Governing Region Office on December 4, 2025. The event was organized by the Trnava District Office in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and the Trnava Self-Governing Region (TTSG) as part of the activities of the LIFE IP project – Air Quality Improvement (Populair). The currently valid program was issued by the Trnava District Office in 2013, therefore its update is one of the key tasks of the upcoming period.