<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>346</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>420</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>103</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00205 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - General Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureGeneralInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>General Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurement</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Intangible assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Other non-current assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonCurrentAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Other non-current assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Accrued expenses and other current liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued expenses and other current liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Long-term debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Shareholders' equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Expenses by nature</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureExpensesByNature</Role>
      <ShortName>Expenses by nature</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Other non-operating income / (expense)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonOperatingIncomeExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Other non-operating income / (expense)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Income taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Basic and diluted earnings per share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11701 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11801 - Disclosure - Subsequent event</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent event</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurement</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRisk</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Shareholders' equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - Expenses by nature (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureExpensesByNatureTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Expenses by nature (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureExpensesByNature</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - Other non-operating income / (expense) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonOperatingIncomeExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other non-operating income / (expense) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonOperatingIncomeExpense</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31503 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basic and diluted earnings per share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31603 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement - Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement - Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement - Changes in Level 3 Liabilities and Contingent Consideration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementChangesInLevel3LiabilitiesAndContingentConsiderationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement - Changes in Level 3 Liabilities and Contingent Consideration (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40303 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement - BMS collaboration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementBmsCollaborationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement - BMS collaboration (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40304 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement - BMS warrants (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementBmsWarrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement - BMS warrants (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40305 - Disclosure - Fair value measurement - Hercules loan facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementHerculesLoanFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurement - Hercules loan facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Revenues (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Revenues (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Amounts receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskAmountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Amounts receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40403 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - BMS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskBmsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - BMS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40404 - Disclosure - Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Chiesi (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskChiesiDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration arrangements and concentration of credit risk - Chiesi (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCollaborationArrangementsAndConcentrationOfCreditRiskTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40502 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment, net - Long-lived assets by geographic region (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetLongLivedAssetsByGeographicRegionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment, net - Long-lived assets by geographic region (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Finite-lived intangible assets and estimated future amortization expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAndEstimatedFutureAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets - Finite-lived intangible assets and estimated future amortization expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Acquired licenses and acquired In-process research &amp; development (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAcquiredLicensesAndAcquiredInProcessResearchDevelopmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets - Acquired licenses and acquired In-process research &amp; development (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Other non-current assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other non-current assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonCurrentAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - Compensation cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationCompensationCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - Compensation cost (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - 2012 Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation2012PlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - 2012 Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation2014PlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41004 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan Share Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation2014PlanShareOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan Share Options (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41005 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan RSUs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation2014PlanRsusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan RSUs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41006 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan PSUs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation2014PlanPsusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - 2014 Plan PSUs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41007 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation - Other Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationOtherPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation - Other Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Shareholders' equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41102 - Disclosure - Shareholders' equity - Extinguishment of derivative obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityExtinguishmentOfDerivativeObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' equity - Extinguishment of derivative obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Expenses by nature - Operating expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureExpensesByNatureOperatingExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Expenses by nature - Operating expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41202 - Disclosure - Expenses by nature - Employee benefit expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureExpensesByNatureEmployeeBenefitExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Expenses by nature - Employee benefit expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Other non-operating income / (expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonOperatingIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other non-operating income / (expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureOtherNonOperatingIncomeExpenseTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41402 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Tax rate reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTaxRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Tax rate reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41403 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Significant components of deferred taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSignificantComponentsOfDeferredTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Significant components of deferred taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Basic and diluted earnings per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basic and diluted earnings per share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Leases - Lexington, Massachusetts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeasesLexingtonMassachusettsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Lexington, Massachusetts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41602 - Disclosure - Leases - Paasheuvelweg, Amsterdam (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeasesPaasheuvelwegAmsterdamDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Paasheuvelweg, Amsterdam (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41603 - Disclosure - Leases - Meibergdreef and Academisch Medisch Centrum ("AMC") campus, Amsterdam (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeasesMeibergdreefAndAcademischMedischCentrumamcCampusAmsterdamDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Meibergdreef and Academisch Medisch Centrum ("AMC") campus, Amsterdam (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41604 - Disclosure - Leases - Minimum Lease Payments and Rent Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureLeasesMinimumLeasePaymentsAndRentExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Minimum Lease Payments and Rent Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="qure-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41701 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.uniqure.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>qure-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>qure-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>qure-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>qure-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>qure-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>qure-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
