Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser welding system comprising a source (1) for a laser beam, a collimator (2) which is adapted to collimate the laser beam, and a focusing means (3) which is adapted to focus the collimated laser beam onto a concentrated point on a workpiece (4) to be welded. In order to allow for a homogeneous welding region, an optical element (5) is arranged between the collimator (2) and the focusing means (3), the optical element being adapted to spread a power distribution of the laser beam along a first direction running at an angle to an axis of the collimated laser beam. According to an alternative solution, the optical element (5) is arranged between the source (1) for the laser beam and the collimator (2).