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Slovakia is among the EU member states that have long faced air quality challenges. According to data from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI), up to 47% of the population is exposed to poor air quality. Polluted air poses a serious public health risk, contributing to premature mortality, worsening chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and affecting vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals. Significant sources of particulate matter (PM) pollution, which frequently exceed health protection limits, include local household heating with solid fuels and road transport. The Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic recognizes the urgency of this problem and is taking steps to improve air quality in the country.

To improve the thermal insulation of family homes, accelerate the replacement of heating systems, and reduce household emissions, the Ministry provides financial support from the Recovery and Resilience Plan through the “Renew Your Home” program. Over 15,000 homes have benefited, with €236,506,096 already disbursed. The “Renew Your Home Mini” program provided partial home renovation grants totaling €2,150,073 and advance payments of €17,341,125.

Currently, the National Emission Reduction Program is being updated to meet reduction commitments and achieve air quality targets set by EU directives.

To improve air quality, the EU has proposed stricter limit and target values for pollutants to protect human health. The new limits are outlined in Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of 23 October 2024 on ambient air quality and cleaner air in Europe. The Ministry of Environment will transpose this directive into national legislation, enabling Slovakia to meet the high air quality standards.

With EU support, the Ministry implements the LIFE IP – Air Quality Improvement project (www.populair.sk). The project aims to increase technical capacities, raise public awareness, monitor local air quality, and provide expert advice on air quality management. Thanks to regional Air Quality Managers, this year the Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs) for the Nitra Region and Banská Bystrica Region were successfully completed. SEA final opinions were also issued for AQMPs in the Košice agglomeration and Košice Region. Programs for other affected zones are currently under preparation and environmental impact assessment.

To enhance air quality, public health, and compliance with international obligations, the Ministry initiated an inter-ministerial dialogue to identify areas beyond the environment ministry’s competencies. Working groups will focus on effective air quality management, inter-agency cooperation, health protection, environmental education and awareness, energy availability, sustainable mobility, and funding air quality improvement measures.

In cooperation with the Slovak Environmental Agency, the campaign “Something hangs in the Air” was launched in September on www.ewobox.sk, promoting air protection. Activities supporting sustainable mobility in schools continue with the “Walk to School” campaign. Following last year’s success, the symbolic “Kite Festival” campaign will run this autumn to raise awareness about air quality.

The European Mobility Week (16–22 September), culminating in Car-Free Day, provides an opportunity to highlight necessary measures to improve transport-related air quality. Cities, municipalities, regions, institutions, NGOs, and schools can showcase initiatives promoting sustainable transport and improving residents’ quality of life. Organized by the European Commission, the campaign in Slovakia is coordinated by the Slovak Environmental Agency. This year’s theme is “Mobility for All.”

With the onset of colder temperatures, the heating season begins. Household heating with solid fuels accounts for up to 70% of PM2.5 emissions in Slovakia. It is therefore crucial to adopt correct heating practices:

• Use dry firewood instead of waste like old furniture, garden waste, old textiles, plastics, etc.
• Light the fire from the top using eco-friendly fire starters; place small wood pieces on large ones
• Regulate airflow according to combustion phase; let the fire catch before reducing air, do not smother the fire
• Perform regular maintenance of the heating system; call a chimney sweep
• Avoid overheating rooms unnecessarily
• Consider insulating the house
• Replace old, high-emission heating devices with modern equipment
• Consider switching to renewable energy sources

You can monitor current air quality at www.shmu.sk and www.dnesdycham.sk