The invention discloses a method for screening types of arresters in a flexible direct-current power transmission converter station. The screening method comprises the following steps of: step 1, determining a fault situation of over-voltage of a pre-installing point of each arrester when the arresters are not installed; step 2, determining an arrester model suitable for electromagnetic transient simulation; step 3, after installing the arresters, determining the over-voltage inhibition effect, the stress of the arresters and the number of parallel arrester columns in a fault condition; step 4, determining scores of comprehensive performances of arrester type schemes; and step 5, comparing the scores of the comprehensive performances of the arresters of all alternative types provided by arrester manufacturers, and determining an optimal type scheme. According to the method, the over-voltage inhibition effect and the price cost of the arresters are taken into account, the economic cost and the protective effect of the arresters are considered, and the comprehensive performance of each arrester is reasonably evaluated, so that the optimal type scheme of the arresters is determined; and the method has actual engineering significance and can be widely applied to the technical field of power transmission and distribution of power systems.