Name:	ifrs-full_DescriptionOfExpectedImpactOfInitialApplicationOfNewStandardsOrInterpretationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of the expense relating to leases of low-value assets accounted for applying paragraph 6 of IFRS 16. This expense shall not include the expense relating to short-term leases of low-value assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 53
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_53_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_ExpenseRelatingToLeasesOfLowvalueAssetsForWhichRecognitionExemptionHasBeenUsed
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of the expense relating to short-term leases accounted for applying paragraph 6 of IFRS 16. This expense need not include the expense relating to leases with a lease term of one month or less. Short-term lease is a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less. A lease that contains a purchase option is not a short-term lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 53
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_53_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_ExpenseRelatingToShorttermLeasesForWhichRecognitionExemptionHasBeenUsed
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of liabilities related to the entity's leases. Lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an underlying asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_47_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_LeaseLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The weighted average lessee's incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position at the date of initial application of IFRS 16. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph C12
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_C12_a&doctype=Appendix&subtype=C
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_WeightedAverageLesseesIncrementalBorrowingRateAppliedToLeaseLiabilitiesRecognisedAtDateOfInitialApplicationOfIFRS16
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Expense Relating To Leases Of Service Commitments For Which Recognition Exemption Has Been Used

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_ExpenseRelatingToLeasesOfServiceCommitmentsForWhichRecognitionExemptionHasBeenUsed
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Expense Relating To Leases, Other

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_ExpenseRelatingToLeasesOther
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Undiscounted Lease Liabilities

No definition available.