According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile variable resistance element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a variable resistance layer, and a dielectric layer. The second electrode includes a metal element. The variable resistance layer is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A resistance change is reversibly possible in the variable resistance layer according to move the metal element in and out. The dielectric layer is inserted between the second electrode and the variable resistance layer and has a diffusion coefficient of the metal element smaller than that of the variable resistance layer.