Summary of significant accounting policies, Part 2 (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Percentage of costs incurred under contracts and grants	32.00%	43.00%	67.00%

The percentage of costs incurred under the contracts and grants of total research and development expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	ebs_PercentageOfCostsIncurredUnderContractAndGrants
Namespace Prefix:	ebs_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration