Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	QIAGEN NV
Entity Central Index Key	0001015820
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	20-F
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	234,220,808
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes