The invention relates to a starting method for a fuel cell system (100), particularly for an air/air start of the fuel cell system (100). The method enables the reduction of damaging half-cell voltages in the fuel cell stack (10) through voltage limitation by means of a DC voltage converter. The homogeneous flushing of the fuel cell stack (10) required for this takes place by means of introduction of an anode operating medium into an anode inlet channel (17) of the otherwise sealed fuel cell stack (10) until a predetermined pressure is reached and flushing of the active areas of the fuel cells (11) of the stack (10) after said pressure is reached through opening of an anode discharge adjusting aid (26), preferably arranged in an exhaust coupling (29) connecting the anode exhaust line (22) and the cathode exhaust line (31). In preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, a provision is to improve the mass flow of the anode operating medium in an anode supply (20) of the fuel cell stack (10) through suitable operation of a recirculation conveying mechanism (27). Another subject matter of the invention is also a fuel cell system (100) with a control unit (70) for implementing the method according to the invention.