A main object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL element being excellent in light emitting characteristics, characteristics of an organic EL layer and current-voltage characteristic. To attain the object, the invention discloses--an organic electroluminescent element comprises a substrate, an anode layer formed on the substrate, an organic electroluminescent layer formed on the anode layer and--containing at least a light emitting layer, a semitransparent cathode layer formed on the organic electroluminescent layer, a transparent buffer layer formed on the semitransparent cathode layer and having an impact buffering function, and a transparent electroconductive protection layer formed on the transparent buffer layer and having an oxidation preventing function. A contact region in which the semitransparent cathode layer and the transparent electroconductive protection layer contact with each other is provided in a non-display area.