A thin film EL device includes a translucent substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on the upper surface of the translucent substrate; a light emitting layer provided above the first electrode layer. A second electrode layer is provided above the light emitting layer and is electrically connected to the first electrode layer through an applied power source for applying electric field to the light emitting layer. Further one or more insulating layers is provided among the light emitting layer and the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. At least one of the insulating layers is a composite layer of an inorganic film and an organic film and another insulating layer is a composite layer or an inorganic film in which the inorganic film is interposed between the light emitting layer and the organic film.