There is provided a magnetoresistive effect element having improved magnetoresistive effect. A magnetoresistive effect element MR includes a first ferromagnetic layer 4 as a fixed magnetization layer, a second ferromagnetic layer 6 as a free magnetization layer, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer 5 provided between the first ferromagnetic layer 4 and the second ferromagnetic layer 6. The nonmagnetic spacer layer 5 includes at least one of a first insertion layer 5A provided under the nonmagnetic spacer layer 5 and a second insertion layer 5C provided over the nonmagnetic spacer layer 5. The first insertion layer 5A and the second insertion layer 5C are made of Fe2TiSi.