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Basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements (Details 2)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Total Foreign
Description of functional currency   US$
Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Brazil  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Nitrate Corporation Of Chile Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary United Kingdom  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM North America Corp. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary USA  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Europe N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Belgium  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Soquimich S.R.L. Argentina [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Argentina  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Netherlands  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Curacao  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQI Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Curacao  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Mexico  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
North American Trading Company [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary USA  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Administracion y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Mexico  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Peru S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Peru  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Ecuador S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Ecuador  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Mexico  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary USA  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Curacao  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Brasil Limitada [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Brazil  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM France S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary France  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Japan Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Japan  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Aruba  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Oceania Pty Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Australia  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Aruba  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Colombia SAS [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Colombia  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Australia Pty [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Australia  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SACAL S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID [1] Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary [1] Argentina  
Description of functional currency [1] ARS  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 0.00% 100.00%
SQM Indonesia S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Indonesia  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 80.00% 80.00%
SQM Virginia L.L.C. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary USA  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Italia SRL [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Italy  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Comercial Caiman Internacional S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Panama  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Africa Pty. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary South Africa  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Lithium Specialties LLC [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary USA  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Spain  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary China  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM Thailand Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Thailand  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.996% 99.996%
SQM Internacional N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Belgium  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID Foreign  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary China  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Comercial Hydro S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 96.801.610-5  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6383% 60.6383%
SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 96.651.060-9  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.9999% 99.9999%
SQM Nitratos S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 96.592.190-7  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Ajay SQM Chile S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 96.592.180-K  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 51.00% 51.00%
SQMC Internacional Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID [2] 86.630.200-6  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary [2] Chile  
Description of functional currency [2] Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [2] 0.00% 60.6381%
SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.947.100-0  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.906.120-1  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Almacenes y Depositos Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.876.080-7  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Servicios Integrales de Transitos y Transferencias S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.770.780-5  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.768.170-9  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6383% 60.6383%
SQM Salar S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 79.626.800-K  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Proinsa Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID [3] 78.053.910-0  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary [3] Chile  
Description of functional currency [3] Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [3] 0.00% 60.58%
Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.534.490-5  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Exploraciones Mineras S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.425.380-9  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Comercial Agrorama Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID [1] 76.064.419-6  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary [1] Chile  
Description of functional currency [1] Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 42.4468% 42.4468%
Agrorama S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.145.229-0  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency Ch$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6387% 60.6387%
Orcoma Estudios SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.359.919-1  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 51.00% 51.00%
Orcoma SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.360.575-2  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
SQM MaG SpA. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Description Of Tax ID 76.686.311-9  
Country of incorporation of subsidiary Chile  
Description of functional currency US$  
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00% 100.00%
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Nitrate Corporation Of Chile Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 40.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.58%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich S.R.L. Argentina [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.0002%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQI Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.0159%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.01%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | North American Trading Company [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Administracion y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Peru S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.0091%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Ecuador S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.004%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.10%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Brasil Limitada [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.84%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM France S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Japan Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.1597%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1.67%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Oceania Pty Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 98.3333%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Colombia SAS [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Australia Pty [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SACAL S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Indonesia S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Virginia L.L.C. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Italia SRL [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Caiman Internacional S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Africa Pty. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Lithium Specialties LLC [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Thailand Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Internacional N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.58%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Hydro S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.9999%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Nitratos S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.9999%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Ajay SQM Chile S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 51.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQMC Internacional Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [2] 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.047%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Almacenes y Depositos Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Servicios Integrales de Transitos y Transferencias S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.0003%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 18.18%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Proinsa Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [3] 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Exploraciones Mineras S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.2691%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Agrorama Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Agrorama S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Orcoma Estudios SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 51.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | Orcoma SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Direct ownership interest [Member] | SQM MaG SpA. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Nitratos Naturais Do Chile Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Nitrate Corporation Of Chile Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM North America Corp. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Europe N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.42%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich S.R.L. Argentina [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich European Holding B.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1000000.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.9998%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQI Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.98413%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Comercial De Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.99%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | North American Trading Company [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Administracion y Servicios Santiago S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Peru S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.99093%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Ecuador S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.996%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Nitratos Mexico S.A. de C.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQMC Holding Corporation L.L.P. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.90%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Investment Corporation N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Brasil Limitada [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.16%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM France S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Japan Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.8403%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Royal Seed Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 98.33%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Oceania Pty Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Rs Agro-Chemical Trading Corporation A.V.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 1.6667%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Colombia SAS [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Australia Pty [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SACAL S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Indonesia S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 80.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Virginia L.L.C. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Italia SRL [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Caiman Internacional S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Africa Pty. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Lithium Specialties LLC [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Iberian S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Beijing Commercial Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Thailand Limited [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.996%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Internacional N.V. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.42%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM (Shanghai) Chemicals Co. Ltd. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Hydro S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6383%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Potasio S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Nitratos S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.0001%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Ajay SQM Chile S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQMC Internacional Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [2] 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Industrial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.953%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Isapre Norte Grande Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Almacenes y Depositos Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Servicios Integrales de Transitos y Transferencias S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.9997%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Soquimich Comercial S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6383%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM Salar S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 81.82%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Proinsa Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [3] 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Sociedad Prestadora de Servicios de Salud Cruz del Norte S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Exploraciones Mineras S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 99.7309%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Comercial Agrorama Ltda. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary [1] 42.4468%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Agrorama S.A. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 60.6387%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Orcoma Estudios SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | Orcoma SPA [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 0.00%  
Indirect ownership interest [Member] | SQM MaG SpA. [Member]    
Disclosure of basis of presentation for the consolidated financial statements [LineItems]    
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary 100.00%  
[1] On June 26, 2019, SACAL was liquidated.
[2] On March 01, 2019, SQMC Internacional merged with Soquimich Comercial S.A.
[3] On April 01, 2019, Proinsa Ltda was liquidated.