Disclosed is a brake actuation unit for actuating a ‘brake-by-wire’ type brake system for a motor vehicle. The brake system includes a brake booster operable via a brake pedal mounted on a shaft and via an electronic control unit depending on the driver's request, and an element to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode. Also included are a device to detect a deceleration request of the driver, and a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and is formed of a simulator spring, which is arranged in terms of effect between a force-transmitting part connected to the brake pedal and a simulator housing, which is mounted on the shaft by means of two bearings. The simulator housing (22) includes a cylindrical area (26) for the accommodation of the two bearings (27, 28). This measure renders it possible to reduce the deformations that occur during actuation of the pedal travel simulator to a great extent.