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Employee benefits (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Employee benefits [Abstract] |  |  |
Service cost or benefits received during the year | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 2
Interest cost in benefit obligation | 336 | 319 | 359
Actual return in plan assets | 741 | 133 | 1,694
Amortization of prior year losses | 242 | 160 | 219
Net gain during the year | (854) | (568) | 599
Net periodic pension expense | $ (33) | $ (159) | $ 41

X
- Definition The amount of amortisation expense of prior year losses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_AmortisationExpenseOfPriorYearLosses
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of service cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_CurrentServiceCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_EmployeeBenefitsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of interest cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_InterestCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net gain recognized during the period relating to period pension. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetGainRecognizedDuringPeriodRelatingToPeriodPension
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of return (loss) on plan assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ReturnLossOnPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration