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v3.20.4

Deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [line items] |  |
Deferred tax asset expected to have an impact on current taxes payable after more than 12 months | $ 4.5 | $ 4.3
Deferred tax liabilities expected to have an impact on current taxes payable after more than 12 months | 7.0 | 5.2
Unremitted earnings retained by consolidated entities for reinvestment | $ 27.0 | 26.0
Provision for income taxes on unremitted earnings |  | $ 0.0

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- References No definition available. + Details
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Period Type: | duration

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Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type: | duration

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Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration