Income taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	$ 537,733,000		$ 537,733,000		$ 520,096,000
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	745,613,000		745,613,000		851,592,000
Net deferred tax asset	744,764,000		744,764,000		850,695,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest	5,500,000		5,500,000		4,800,000
Recognized Tax Benefits Current Interest On Income Taxes Accrued			727,000	$ 1,300,000
Accrual for the payment of penalties	0		0		0
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, that if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	10,800,000		10,800,000		10,200,000
Anticipated reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months	14,200,000		14,200,000
Income tax expense	73,093,000	$ 24,628,000	149,924,000	27,725,000
Other assets
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	700,000,000		700,000,000		900,000,000
Other liabilities
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax liabilities	849,000		849,000		897,000
Popular, Inc Holding Co
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	122,000,000		122,000,000
PR
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	121,614,000		121,614,000		112,871,000
Net deferred tax asset	470,795,000		470,795,000		549,290,000
Income tax expense	73,093,000	$ 24,628,000	149,924,000	$ 27,725,000
US
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	416,119,000		416,119,000		407,225,000
Net deferred tax asset	273,969,000		273,969,000		$ 301,405,000
Deferred Tax Assets	$ 690,000,000		$ 690,000,000