The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a European trade promotion organization that originated in Stockholm on January 4, 1960, when Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed the Convention Establishing the European Free Trade Association (known as the "Stockholm Convention"). The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was formally established on May 3, 1960, with headquarters in Geneva, following the signing of the Convention Establishing the European Free Trade Association (the Stockholm Convention) by Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in Stockholm on January 4, 1960.