OTHER DISCLOSURES - COMMITMENTS - Other Guarantees and Security for Debt (Details) - DKK DKK in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Additional information [abstract]
Other guarantees primarily related to guarantees issued by Novo Nordisk in relation to rented property	DKK 752	DKK 808
Land, buildings and equipment etc at carrying amount	DKK 3	DKK 68

The amount of property, plant and equipment pledged as security for liabilities. [Refer: Property, plant and equipment]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 74
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=16&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_74_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Name:	ifrs-full_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPledgedAsSecurity
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant