The purpose of the article is to present the legal aspects of air protection in force in Poland and European Union countries with particular emphasis on odor nuisance. It lets you see how difficult it is to clearly define this problem in law. The work includes legal acts, arrangements (public consultations), executive acts in Poland and European Union countries regarding air protection, with particular emphasis on odor nuisance. The work refers to European Union directives, European Parliament directives, European Council decisions which set out the rights in the field of air quality and air quality management, as well as legal acts, findings, guidelines, and decisions of relevant bodies dealing with air protection in selected European Union countries and in Poland. Comparing the provisions in force in the European Union, EU countries and in Poland, it can be concluded that the European Union does not set specific, uniform provisions regarding odor nuisance, i.e. a law or regulation that would typically address this problem. Directives on air emissions have been created. The European Union has allowed countries to adapt the rules themselves at local level (i.e. each EU country according to their own research, analyzes).