A resilient fixing element for releasably connecting a skirting board with a floor covering, including a first arm located under the floor covering, a second arm located over the floor covering and to be engaged with the skirting board, a connecting face connecting the first arm with the second arm, and a resilient abutment element located in an internal space between the arms. The resilient abutment element is moveable between a first position in which it is constrained and blocked lying along the connecting face and a second position in which it is extended into the internal space. An engagement element is provided to block the abutment element in its first position and to release the abutment element into its second position. A skirting board fixing system includes a skirting board and the resilient fixing element as described, the skirting board consisting of a wall abutting covering arm and a floor abutting arm, the latter being engaged with the fixing element.