A multilayer piezoelectric element has a pair of outer electrodes and a multilayer ceramic body composed of piezoelectric layers and inner electrode layers which are alternately stacked. The outer electrodes are formed on a pair of electrode connecting surfaces in the outer circumference surfaces of the multilayer ceramic body. Each outer electrode electrically connected to the inner electrode layers through connecting material is composed of a fixed part, a free part having plural expandable-openings, and a rigid part. The fixed part is electrically contacted with the connection material. A sectional area of the rigid part is rather than that of each of the fixed part and the free part in a width direction of the outer electrode. Each outer electrode has at least one part where the fixed part, the free part and the rigid part are arranged in order in the width direction.