A method is for controlling an electromagnetic relay comprising a fixed contact, a movable contact that comes in contact with and separated from the fixed contact, an electromagnet that includes a coil for generating magnetic field, and an actuator that moves the movable contact. The method includes: when separating the movable contact that is in contact with the fixed contact, supplying a first current to the coil to generate a first magnetomotive force that drives the actuator in a direction to move the movable contact toward the fixed contact, supplying a second current to the coil, while the first current is supplied to the coil, to generate a second magnetomotive force that drives the actuator in a direction to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact, and stop supplying the first current while the second current is supplied to the coil.