The disclosure relates to a set consisting of two panels for cladding a surface and of a panel connection element for connecting the two panels, wherein: two mutually opposing panel side faces have mutually complementary coupling elements in the form of an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element; the lower coupling element has a groove; the panel connection element has a first part and a second part which is coupled to the first part via a connection piece; the first part is introduced into the groove when the two panels are in the coupled state; the second part is pivotable about the connection piece relative to the first part; the second part comprises an upper portion, which has a latching element, and a lower portion, which has a lever, and the latching element has a bulge at the distal end; the locking element has a contact face which bears against the lever when the two panels are in the coupled state; the locking element has a latching receptacle which is complementary to the latching element and into which the bulge of the latching element engages when the two panels are in the coupled state. In this way, a set consisting of two panels and a panel connection element is provided which allows particularly fast and simple connection of the two panels via the panel connection element.