The invention relates to a welding head (1) comprising a heat-resistant electrode (2) for carrying out TIG welding operations on workpieces, in which the electrode (2) is movably mounted and can also be caused to move by a device (20). The electrode (2) preferably carries out either a rotating movement about the axis (A) thereof or an oscillating movement about said axis. During a preferably manual welding operation, undesired alloying-up is thus excluded during accidental contact between the electrode (2) and the workpiece to be welded. Moreover, repeated adhesion of liquefied welding filler material to the electrode (2) can be substantially prevented in the event that a welding filler material is supplied. With welding heads () which are cooled by means of a fluid circuit, said circuit, in cooperation with a turbine, can also be used to drive a rotating electrode (2). The movable electrode (2) can be connected to the voltage source thereof either via a sliding contact or via an electrically conducting liquid surrounding the electrode (2). The invention further relates to a method in which the welding head (1) according to the invention is used.