Abstract: Coating a porous electrode for electrochemical processes with an activation layer which covers the electrode surface at least in part and contains metals or compounds of metals of the platinum group by:(a) coating with a suspension containing particles of a metal of the platinum group and a dispersion agent in which the particles will dissolve at an elevated temperature,(b) heating the coated electrode to dissolve the particles,(c) heating the electrode to evaporate the agent, decompose the compound and deposit a layer of the metal of the platinum group on the electrode surface,(d) repeating the cycle to obtain a layer of desired thickness,(e) heating the electrode in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to a temperature between 400.degree. and 600.degree. C.