Fair value measurement - BMS collaboration (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares
BMS Warrants
Collaboration arrangements
Exercise price in respect of each warrant | $ / shares	$ 33.84
Number of trading days used to calculate Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP")	20 days
Number of days prior to purchase or exercise used to calculate Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP")	5 days
Decrease in fair value due to reduced probability of warrants being exercised | $	$ 1.1
Compounded annual growth rate used to determine fair value of exercise price	10.00%
Increase in volatility rate	10.00%
Volatility rate	82.50%
uniQure N.V. | BMS | First Six New Targets Or Designation Of Sixth Target
Collaboration arrangements
Ownership percentage required per agreement	14.90%
uniQure N.V. | BMS | First Nine New Targets Or Designation Of Ninth Target
Collaboration arrangements
Ownership percentage required per agreement	19.90%