The present invention relates to a surface-emitting laser diode with an active amplifying region (2) which is bounded by two laser mirrors (1, 3), while one or more polarization-selective layers (4) are provided for stabilizing the polarization in a region that is located on that side of at least one of the laser mirrors (1, 3) that is opposite the active amplifying region (2), these layers (4) extending parallel to the respective mirror (1; 3) and having a polarization-dependent refractive index and/or absorption.