<XML>
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>305</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>273</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>127</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>19</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - Consolidated condensed statements of financial position</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedStatementsOfFinancialPosition</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed statements of financial position</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - Consolidated condensed income statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedIncomeStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed income statements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - Consolidated condensed statements of comprehensive income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed statements of comprehensive income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Statement - Consolidated condensed statements of changes in equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedStatementsOfChangesInEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed statements of changes in equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050000 - Statement - Consolidated condensed cash flow statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedCashFlowStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed cash flow statements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050100 - Statement - Consolidated condensed cash flow statements (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ConsolidatedCondensedCashFlowStatementsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated condensed cash flow statements (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - Nature of the business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - Basis of preparation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of preparation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - Financial risk management</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialRiskManagement</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial risk management</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegment</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - Changes in the scope of the consolidated condensed interim financial statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ChangesInScopeOfConsolidatedCondensedInterimFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in the scope of the consolidated condensed interim financial statements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - Contracted concessional assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ContractedConcessionalAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Contracted concessional assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - Investments carried under the equity method</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/InvestmentsCarriedUnderEquityMethod</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments carried under the equity method</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - Financial investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - Derivative financial instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative financial instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value of financial instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - Related parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/RelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061200 - Disclosure - Clients and other receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ClientsAndOtherReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>Clients and other receivable</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061300 - Disclosure - Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/Equity</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061400 - Disclosure - Corporate debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061500 - Disclosure - Project debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ProjectDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Project debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061600 - Disclosure - Grants and other liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/GrantsAndOtherLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Grants and other liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061700 - Disclosure - Trade payables and other current liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/TradePayablesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Trade payables and other current liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061800 - Disclosure - Income Tax</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/IncomeTax</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061900 - Disclosure - Financial income and expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialIncomeAndExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial income and expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>062000 - Disclosure - Other operating income and expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeAndExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Other operating income and expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>062100 - Disclosure - Earnings per share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>062200 - Disclosure - Subsequent events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070200 - Disclosure - Basis of preparation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of preparation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>071000 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value of financial instruments (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080100 - Disclosure - Nature of the business (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusinessTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusiness</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080200 - Disclosure - Basis of preparation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of preparation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparation</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegment</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080600 - Disclosure - Contracted concessional assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ContractedConcessionalAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contracted concessional assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ContractedConcessionalAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080700 - Disclosure - Investments carried under the equity method (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/InvestmentsCarriedUnderEquityMethodTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments carried under the equity method (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/InvestmentsCarriedUnderEquityMethod</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080800 - Disclosure - Financial investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080900 - Disclosure - Derivative financial instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative financial instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081100 - Disclosure - Related parties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/RelatedPartiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/RelatedParties</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081200 - Disclosure - Clients and other receivable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ClientsAndOtherReceivableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Clients and other receivable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ClientsAndOtherReceivable</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081400 - Disclosure - Corporate debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081500 - Disclosure - Project debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ProjectDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Project debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ProjectDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081600 - Disclosure - Grants and other liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/GrantsAndOtherLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Grants and other liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/GrantsAndOtherLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081700 - Disclosure - Trade payables and other current liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/TradePayablesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Trade payables and other current liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/TradePayablesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081900 - Disclosure - Financial income and expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialIncomeAndExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial income and expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialIncomeAndExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>082000 - Disclosure - Other operating income and expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeAndExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other operating income and expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeAndExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>082100 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090100 - Disclosure - Nature of the business, Description (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusinessDescriptionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business, Description (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090102 - Disclosure - Nature of the business, Assets acquired (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusinessAssetsAcquiredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business, Assets acquired (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090104 - Disclosure - Nature of the business, Concessional assets owned (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusinessConcessionalAssetsOwnedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business, Concessional assets owned (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090106 - Disclosure - Nature of the business, Financing arrangements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/NatureOfBusinessFinancingArrangementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the business, Financing arrangements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090200 - Disclosure - Basis of preparation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of preparation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/BasisOfPreparationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Business sectors (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentBusinessSectorsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Business sectors (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090402 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Revenues and Further Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentRevenuesAndFurtherAdjustedEbitdaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Revenues and Further Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090404 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Reconciliation of segment Further Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentReconciliationOfSegmentFurtherAdjustedEbitdaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Reconciliation of segment Further Adjusted EBITDA (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090406 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by geography (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentAssetsAndLiabilitiesByGeographyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by geography (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090408 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by business sector (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentAssetsAndLiabilitiesByBusinessSectorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by business sector (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090410 - Disclosure - Financial information by segment, Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges recognized (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInformationBySegmentDepreciationAmortizationAndImpairmentChargesRecognizedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial information by segment, Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges recognized (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - Changes in the scope of the consolidated condensed interim financial statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ChangesInScopeOfConsolidatedCondensedInterimFinancialStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in the scope of the consolidated condensed interim financial statements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ChangesInScopeOfConsolidatedCondensedInterimFinancialStatements</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090600 - Disclosure - Contracted concessional assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ContractedConcessionalAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contracted concessional assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ContractedConcessionalAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - Investments carried under the equity method (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/InvestmentsCarriedUnderEquityMethodDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments carried under the equity method (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/InvestmentsCarriedUnderEquityMethodTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - Financial investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090802 - Disclosure - Financial investments, Restructuring agreement of Abengoa (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialInvestmentsRestructuringAgreementOfAbengoaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial investments, Restructuring agreement of Abengoa (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - Derivative financial instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative financial instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - Related parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/RelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related parties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/RelatedPartiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091200 - Disclosure - Clients and other receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ClientsAndOtherReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Clients and other receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ClientsAndOtherReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091300 - Disclosure - Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/Equity</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091400 - Disclosure - Corporate debt, Breakdown of corporate debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebtBreakdownOfCorporateDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate debt, Breakdown of corporate debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091402 - Disclosure - Corporate debt, Repayment schedule (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebtRepaymentScheduleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate debt, Repayment schedule (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091404 - Disclosure - Corporate debt, Details of corporate debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/CorporateDebtDetailsOfCorporateDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate debt, Details of corporate debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091500 - Disclosure - Project debt, Details of project debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ProjectDebtDetailsOfProjectDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Project debt, Details of project debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091502 - Disclosure - Project debt, Repayment schedule (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/ProjectDebtRepaymentScheduleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Project debt, Repayment schedule (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091600 - Disclosure - Grants and other liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/GrantsAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Grants and other liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/GrantsAndOtherLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091700 - Disclosure - Trade payables and other current liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/TradePayablesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Trade payables and other current liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/TradePayablesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091800 - Disclosure - Income Tax (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/IncomeTaxDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/IncomeTax</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091900 - Disclosure - Financial income and expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialIncomeAndExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial income and expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/FinancialIncomeAndExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>092000 - Disclosure - Other operating income and expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeAndExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other operating income and expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeAndExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>092100 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aby-20180930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>092200 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://atlanticayield.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://atlanticayield.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>aby-20180930.xml</File>
    <File>aby-20180930.xsd</File>
    <File>aby-20180930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>aby-20180930_def.xml</File>
    <File>aby-20180930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>aby-20180930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.ifrs.org/taxonomy/2018-03-16/ifrs-full</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
</XML>
