Other current and non-current non-financial assets - Movements in Assets for Exploration (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Other Current And Non-Current Non-Financial Assets
Opening balance	$ 57,458	$ 44,023	$ 26,752
Changes
Additions	10,701	12,002	11,341
Reclassifications from/to short-term (inventory)	(197)	1,049	(465)
Amortization of ground studies	(733)	(2,131)	(2,421)
Reclassification from construction in progress	(1,719)	2,515	8,816
Total changes	8,052	13,435	17,271
Ending balance	$ 65,510	$ 57,458	$ 44,023

The amount of additions to exploration and mineral resource, other than those acquired through business combinations.

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_AdditionsOtherThanBusinessCombinationsExplorationAndMineralResource
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amortization of exploration and evaluation.

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_AmortizationOfExplorationAndEvaluation
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Increase decrease in prepaid stain development expenses and prospecting expense [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidStainDevelopmentExpensesAndProspectingExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Total increase (decrease) in prepaid stain development expenses and prospecting expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidStainDevelopmentExpensesAndProspectingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Other Current And Non-Current Non-Financial Assets

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_OtherCurrentAndNonCurrentNonFinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of prepaid stain development expenses and prospecting expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_PrepaidStainDevelopmentAndProspectingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Reclassification From Construction In Progress

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_ReclassificationFromConstructionInProgress
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of reclassifications to exploration and mineral resource

No definition available.

Name:	sqm_ReclassificationOfExplorationAndMineralResource
Namespace Prefix:	sqm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration