The organic electroluminescent element has a transparent substrate, a transparent first electrode, an organic layer, a second electrode, and a light-outcoupling layer. The light-outcoupling layer is formed between the transparent substrate and the first electrode. The first electrode, the organic layer and the second electrode constitute an electroluminescent laminate. A covering substrate facing the transparent substrate is adhered to the surface of the transparent substrate via an adhesive sealing portion surrounding the periphery of the electroluminescent laminate. A connection electrode extending outward from inside a surrounded region where the electroluminescent laminate is covered with the covering substrate is formed at least on the surface of the light-outcoupling layer. The average thickness of the light-outcoupling layer in an adhesion region where the adhesive sealing portion is formed is smaller than the thickness in the central region where the electroluminescent laminate is formed.