The invention relates to a fuel cell system (1, 2) having at least one or more fuel cells (10, 30), wherein the fuel cell (10, 30) extends between a first cell end (10a, 30a) and a second cell end (10b, 30b) in a tubular shape, and wherein the fuel cell (10, 30) is mechanically received with the first cell end (10a, 30a) on an inflow distributor unit (11, 33), and wherein a fuel gas flows through the fuel cell (10, 30), the gas entering the first cell end (10a, 30a) and exiting one of the cell ends (10a, 10b, 30a, 30b) as exhaust gas. According to the invention, means (12, 16, 18, 32) are provided which suction at least a part of the exhaust gas exiting the fuel cell (10) and feed said gas to the inflow distributor unit (11, 33) for recirculation.