Method for activating fuel cell

A method for activating a polymer electrolyte type fuel cell comprising at least one unit cell which is configured by including a proton conductive polymer electrolyte, an electrode layer having a catalytic activity arranged on the both faces of said polymer electrolyte membrane and a gas-supplying path is disclosed. This method comprises at least one of the step (a) of enhancing the catalytic activity of said electrode and the step (b) of giving a wetting condition to said polymer electrolyte. According to the present invention, it is possible to readily activate the fuel cell and to cause the same to demonstrate a high cell performance.