Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|
| Earnings per share [Abstract] | |||
| Profit/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to Atlantica Yield Plc. | $ (111,804) | $ (4,855) | $ (209,005) |
| Profit/(loss) from discontinuing operations attributable to Atlantica Yield Plc. | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
| Average number of ordinary shares outstanding (thousands) - basic and diluted (in shares) | 100,217 | 100,217 | 92,795 |
| Earnings per share from continuing operations (US dollar per share) - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) | $ (1.12) | $ (0.05) | $ (2.25) |
| Earnings per share from discontinuing operations (US dollar per share) - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Earnings per share from profit/ (loss) for the period (US dollar per share) - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) | $ (1.12) | $ (0.05) | $ (2.25) |