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

The amount that best represents the maximum exposure to credit risk without taking into account any collateral held or other credit enhancements (for example, netting agreements that do not qualify for offset in accordance with IAS 32). [Refer: Credit risk [member]]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 35K
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_35K_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Note Expiry date 2021-01-01
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 36
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2017-en-b&anchor=para_36_a&doctype=Standard&book=b
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Name:	ifrs-full_MaximumExposureToCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Period When Cash Flows Expected To Occur For Cash Flow Hedges

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_PeriodWhenCashFlowsExpectedToOccurForCashFlowHedges
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Sensitivity Analysis For Types Of Market Risk, Reasonably Possible Change In Risk Variable, Impact On Equity

No definition available.

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

Sensitivity Analysis For Types Of Market Risk, Reasonably Possible Change In Risk Variable, Impact On Profit (Loss)

No definition available.

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

Sensitivity Analysis For Types Of Market Risk, Reasonably Possible Change In Risk Variable, Percent

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_SensitivityAnalysisForTypesOfMarketRiskReasonablyPossibleChangeInRiskVariablePercent
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_BottomOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	nvo_Currency1Axis=currency_USD
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	nvo_Currency1Axis=nvo_USDCNYJPYGBPAndCADMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_TopOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_TypesOfRisksAxis=ifrs-full_CurrencyRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=nvo_FinancialCounterpartiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_TypesOfRisksAxis=ifrs-full_CreditRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=nvo_TradeReceivablesOtherReceivablesLessPrepaymentsAndVATAndOtherFinancialAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: