Abstract: A transparent substrate for optical elements which is capable of suppressing cracking is provided, and a transparent substrate for optical elements which is capable of extending the life of optical elements such as organic EL elements used in organic EL illumination devices or polarizer plates used in liquid crystal display devices is provided. This transparent substrate for optical elements is characterized by having an inorganic layer and a hydrophilic layer laminated sequentially on a transparent resin film. For this reason, this transparent substrate for optical elements can have excellent gas barrier properties, inhibits degeneration of optical elements due to water vapor, suppresses cracking, is transparent and flexible, is easy to handle, can be efficiently and economically manufactured, and has excellent design properties.