Mechanical connection for panels having the following features: a) the panels (1, 2) have at the sides (1, 2) thereof which are intended to be connected to each other a profiling via which adjacent first and second panels (1, 2) can be locked to each other in the assembly position; b) a locking spring is inserted on the first panel in a retention groove and, when the panels (1, 2) are locked, can be displaced partially behind a locking edge of the adjacent second panel (1, 2); c) the locking spring has a locking member which is constructed to be displaced from a release position into a locking position in order to engage in the locking position behind the locking edge; d) the locking member is supported by means of at least one resilient arm on at least one retention member which is retained in the retention groove; e) the locking member is connected to the retention member prior to assembly in the retention groove by means of desired breaking connections (35, 36) in a materially engaging manner, wherein the desired breaking connections (35, 36) are provided to be destroyed when the locking member is displaced relative to the at least one retention member, wherein the approach is carried out counter to the resilient force of the at least one arm, wherein between the locking member and the retention member, there are provided active locking means, which in an internal pretensioned position of the at least one arm retain the locking member in releasable locking engagement on the retention member; f) the at least one resilient arm under the influence of an actuation force acting on the locking member in the longitudinal direction of the retention groove can be released from the locking engagement in the internal pretensioned position so that the locking member under the influence of the restoring force of the at least one resilient arm can be displaced partially out of the retention groove into the locking position. a) the panels (1, 2) have at the sides (1, 2) thereof which are intended to be connected to each other a profiling via which adjacent first and second panels (1, 2) can be locked to each other in the assembly position; b) a locking spring is inserted on the first panel in a retention groove and, when the panels (1, 2) are locked, can be displaced partially behind a locking edge of the adjacent second panel (1, 2); c) the locking spring has a locking member which is constructed to be displaced from a release position into a locking position in order to engage in the locking position behind the locking edge; d) the locking member is supported by means of at least one resilient arm on at least one retention member which is retained in the retention groove; e) the locking member is connected to the retention member prior to assembly in the retention groove by means of desired breaking connections (35, 36) in a materially engaging manner, wherein the desired breaking connections (35, 36) are provided to be destroyed when the locking member is displaced relative to the at least one retention member, wherein the approach is carried out counter to the resilient force of the at least one arm, wherein between the locking member and the retention member, there are provided active locking means, which in an internal pretensioned position of the at least one arm retain the locking member in releasable locking engagement on the retention member; f) the at least one resilient arm under the influence of an actuation force acting on the locking member in the longitudinal direction of the retention groove can be released from the locking engagement in the internal pretensioned position so that the locking member under the influence of the restoring force of the at least one resilient arm can be displaced partially out of the retention groove into the locking position.