A decorative surface covering element with a top surface, a bottom surface and lateral edges, said decorative surface covering element having a height of 4 mm or less, said decorative surface covering element being configured as a multi-layered compound comprising a polymer-based, e.g. thermoplastic and/or PVC-based, core layer laminated between a backing layer and a wear layer; said decorative surface covering element comprising a first connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along at least one of said edges, said first connecting profile comprising at least one protrusion realised in said core layer, said protrusion having side surfaces (32, 34) for being seized between opposite surfaces (36, 38) of a recess in a second connecting profile, configured for mating with said first connecting profile, of another decorative surface covering element; and said decorative surface covering element comprising a second connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along another one of said edges, said second connecting profile comprising at least one recess realised in said core layer, said recess having opposite surfaces (36, 38) for seizing a protrusion of a first connecting profile of another decorative surface covering element; the decorative surface covering element being rectangular and comprising a first and a second connecting profile on a first and a second long edge, respectively, and a third and a fourth connecting profile on a first and a second short edge, respectively; the connecting profiles being such that when laying a decorative surface covering element, the first connecting profile is adapted to be inserted into the second connecting profile of the decorative surface covering element of a previous row and lowered onto the floor, and the decorative surface covering element is adapted to be slid to the left or the right while keeping it connected with the previous row and parallel to the floor, the decorative surface covering element being adapted to be connected with a previously installed decorative surface covering element on the left or on the right using the third and fourths connecting profiles, characterized in that said core layer comprises a core material having a lesser shore hardness than said backing layer and said wear layer, and in that the first and second connecting profiles (24, 26) are shaped in such a way that a contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 7 mm 2 per mm along the respective edges. said decorative surface covering element being configured as a multi-layered compound comprising a polymer-based, e.g. thermoplastic and/or PVC-based, core layer laminated between a backing layer and a wear layer; said decorative surface covering element comprising a first connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along at least one of said edges, said first connecting profile comprising at least one protrusion realised in said core layer, said protrusion having side surfaces (32, 34) for being seized between opposite surfaces (36, 38) of a recess in a second connecting profile, configured for mating with said first connecting profile, of another decorative surface covering element; and said decorative surface covering element comprising a second connecting profile, integral with said multi-layered compound, extending along another one of said edges, said second connecting profile comprising at least one recess realised in said core layer, said recess having opposite surfaces (36, 38) for seizing a protrusion of a first connecting profile of another decorative surface covering element; the decorative surface covering element being rectangular and comprising a first and a second connecting profile on a first and a second long edge, respectively, and a third and a fourth connecting profile on a first and a second short edge, respectively; the connecting profiles being such that when laying a decorative surface covering element, the first connecting profile is adapted to be inserted into the second connecting profile of the decorative surface covering element of a previous row and lowered onto the floor, and the decorative surface covering element is adapted to be slid to the left or the right while keeping it connected with the previous row and parallel to the floor, the decorative surface covering element being adapted to be connected with a previously installed decorative surface covering element on the left or on the right using the third and fourths connecting profiles, characterized in that said core layer comprises a core material having a lesser shore hardness than said backing layer and said wear layer, and in that the first and second connecting profiles (24, 26) are shaped in such a way that a contact surface that forms in the connected state amounts at least to 7 mm 2 per mm along the respective edges.