Clean Air Program 2025 under new rules

On March 31, 2025, a new edition of the Clean Air Program was launched, offering higher support for people at risk of energy poverty, simplified procedures, and a budget strengthened by PLN 10 billion from the Modernization Fund. The reform promises transparent rules, an enhanced role of municipalities as operators, and alignment of funding levels with the energy standards of buildings.

Key changes in the program

The new version of the program introduces several important modifications:

– A requirement to confirm the building’s energy standard before and after the investment
– Higher income thresholds for eligibility for increased and highest levels of support
– Grants dependent on both income and the building’s energy demand
– Rationalized expenditures through maximum grant amounts for different eligible costs, including unit limits per m² of insulation
– Free operator support at every stage – from investment decision to final settlement

Three levels of funding

The program offers support at three levels, depending on the applicant’s financial situation and energy poverty status:

– Basic grant: up to 40 percent of eligible net costs (excluding VAT) for individuals with an annual income not exceeding PLN 135,000
– Increased grant: up to 70 percent of net costs for households with an average monthly income of up to PLN 2,250 per person in multi-person households or PLN 3,150 in single-person households. Annual business income of the applicant or their spouse may not exceed 40 times the minimum wage
– Highest grant: up to 100 percent of net costs for households with an average monthly income of up to PLN 1,300 per person (multi-person) or PLN 1,800 (single-person), and for beneficiaries entitled to permanent, periodic, family, or special care allowances. Annual business income is limited to 12 times the minimum wage. This level applies to those considered energy poor, meaning owners of buildings with an energy demand for heating above 140 kWh/m² per year

Required documentation and its funding

Before starting the investment, an energy audit must be performed and confirmed with documentation. Upon completion, an energy performance certificate is required. Both documents must be prepared by individuals registered with the Ministry of Development and Technology. The cost of preparing them can be co-funded up to PLN 1,600 under the program.

Application process

Applications must be submitted electronically, with the submission method depending on the selected level of support:

– For pre-financing and the highest level of support, cooperation with an operator is mandatory
– For increased grants without pre-financing, operator support is optional
– In other cases, the application may be submitted independently via the gov.pl website, at the municipal office, or at the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (WFOŚiGW)

What can be funded?

Funding covers:

– Replacement of non-compliant solid fuel boilers with modern heat sources, such as heat pumps, gasifying boilers, or pellet boilers (in accordance with the ZUM list)
– Thermal modernization, including insulation of building partitions, replacement of windows and doors, garage doors, and installation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery

The ZUM list (Green Equipment and Materials) is mandatory when selecting heat sources and serves as a free tool for choosing eligible products.

Once funding is granted, the investment consistent with the energy audit can begin, documented with invoices. VAT is not reimbursable. The grant is paid either in a single installment or in up to three tranches. More information is available at czystepowietrze.gov.pl.

Clean air and water ecosystems

Although air quality is most often considered in terms of human health and climate change, it also significantly impacts water resources – both surface and groundwater. Several mechanisms highlight how clean air benefits water conditions:

– Less acid rain – air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) react with water vapor, leading to acid rain. This acidifies water bodies and soils, disrupting aquatic ecosystem balance and reducing biodiversity
– Reduced contamination of precipitation – clean air contains fewer heavy metals, particulate matter (PM), and other toxic substances, decreasing secondary contamination of surface waters and the infiltration of pollutants into groundwater
– Limiting eutrophication – nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere can enrich waters with nitrates, causing eutrophication, algal blooms, oxygen deficits, and the die-off of aquatic organisms
– Interlinked nutrient cycles – the quality of air and water is closely connected within the integrated cycle of chemical elements in the environment. Improving atmospheric conditions supports the stability and resilience of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
– Impact on drinking water quality – lower atmospheric pollution reduces the burden on water treatment plants, lowering purification costs, enhancing sanitary safety, and protecting public health

source: NFOŚiGW press release