Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Investment Policies and Strategies Narrative Description	Decisions regarding tactical adjustments within the above noted ranges for asset classes are based on a top down review of factors expected to have material impact on the risk and reward dynamics of the portfolio as a whole. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:Anticipated domestic and international economic growth as a whole;The position of the economy within its longer term economic cycle; andThe expected impact of economic vitality, cycle positioning, financial market risks, industry/demographic trends and political forces on the various market sectors and investment styles.With respect to individual company securities, additional company specific matters are considered, which could include management track record and guidance, future earnings expectations, current relative price expectations and the impact of identified risks on expected performance, among others. A core equity position of large cap stocks will be maintained, with more aggressive or volatile sectors meaningfully represented in the asset mix in pursuit of higher returns. Strategic and specific investment decisions are guided by an in-house investment committee as well as a number of outside institutional resources that provide economic, industry and company data and analytics. It is management's intent to give the Plan's investment managers flexibility with respect to investment decisions and their timing within the overall guidelines. However, certain investments require specific review and approval by management. Management is also informed of anticipated changes in nonproprietary investment managers, significant modifications of any previously approved investment, or the anticipated use of derivatives to execute investment strategies. Portfolio risk is managed in large part by a focus on diversification across multiple levels as well as an emphasis on financial strength. For example, current investment policies restrict initial investments in debt securities to be rated investment grade at the time of purchase. Also, with the exception of the highest rated securities (e.g. - U.S. Treasury or government-backed agency securities), no more than 10% of the portfolio may be invested in a single entity's securities. As a result of the previously noted approaches to controlling portfolio risk, any concentrations of risk would be associated with general systemic risks faced by industry sectors or the portfolio as a whole.
Expected long-term return on assets	7.75%
Defined Benefit Plan, Amount of Employer and Related Party Securities Included in Plan Assets	$ 0	$ 0
Pension [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, General Information	First United Corporation sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the "Pension Plan") covering substantially all full-time employees who qualify as to age and length of service. The benefits are based on years of service and the employees' compensation during the last five years of employment. First United Corporation's funding policy is to make annual contributions in amounts sufficient to meet the current year's minimum funding requirements.
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	30,800,000	25,400,000
Expected long-term return on assets	7.75%	7.75%
SERP [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, General Information	During 2001, the Bank established an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (the "SERP") to provide senior management personnel with supplemental retirement benefits in excess of limits imposed on qualified plans by federal tax law. Concurrent with the establishment of the SERP, the Bank acquired BOLI policies on the senior management personnel and officers of the Bank. The benefits resulting from the favorable tax treatment accorded the earnings on the BOLI policies are intended to provide a source of funds for the future payment of the SERP benefits as well as other employee benefit costs. The benefit obligation activity for both the Pension Plan and SERP was calculated using an actuarial measurement date of January 1. Plan assets and the benefit obligations were calculated using an actuarial measurement date of December 31.
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 4,500,000	$ 4,300,000
Expected long-term return on assets	0.00%	0.00%
24-year average return on pension portfolio assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Expected long-term return on assets	8.12%
Monte Carlo simulations model [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Expected long-term return on assets	7.28%