To provide a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell having excellent conductivity, strength, gas permeability, and an ability to control water, and to provide a method for manufacturing the gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell with ease, at low cost, and in a simple manner.

The gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell is formed by laminating at least two metal plates each having a plurality of through holes for gas diffusion and a through hole 7 for alignment formed by photo-etching, while aligning the through holes 7 for alignment so that the through holes for gas diffusion continuously run from the separator side to the catalyst layer side.