Inner Six
（重定向自Outer Seven）
![The Inner Six alongside the Outer Seven in 1961 Inner Six Outer Seven](/Images/godic/202501/31/Inner_Six_and_Outer_Seven1047.png")
![](/Images/godic/202501/31/EC-EU-enlargement_animation1047.gif")
The Inner Six, or simply The Six, were the six founding member states of the European Communities. They were in contrast to the outer seven who formed the European Free Trade Association rather than engage in supranational European integration. Five of the outer seven later joined the European Communities.