Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period remaining until the derivative contract matures, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeRemainingMaturity1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings in the period from the increase (decrease) in fair value of foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84158357&loc=d3e1436-108581

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=SL7669686-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net unrealized gain (loss) related to the change in fair value of foreign currency exchange rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge is determined to be effective.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesNetBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=biib_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=biib_SeniorNotesFivePointTwoPercentDueTwentyFortyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=biib_SeniorNotesTwoPointNinePercentDueTwentyTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	biib_DerivativeMaturityAxis=biib_ShorttermderivativeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain/Loss on fair value of foreign currency forward contracts		$ (113.0)	$ 49.8	$ (1.8)
Range of durations of foreign currency forward contracts	12 months	21 months
Gain on treasury rate lock settlement		$ (42.7)	(92.5)	6.5
Net gains (losses) of other income (expense) related to foreign currency forward contracts		4.5	29.2	23.8
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount	$ 2,198.7	2,198.7	871.7
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount	$ 564.9	$ 564.9	$ 902.1
Interest rate lock
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain on treasury rate lock settlement				8.5
Interest rate lock \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount				1,100.0
Interest rate swap \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount				$ 675.0
4.05% Senior Notes due 2025
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	4.05%	4.05%		4.05%
5.20% Senior Notes due 2045
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	5.20%	5.20%		5.20%
2.90% Senior Notes due 2020
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	2.90%	2.90%		2.90%
Minimum
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Range of durations of foreign currency forward contracts		1 month	1 month
Maximum
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Range of durations of foreign currency forward contracts		21 months	18 months
Short-term derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain/Loss on fair value of foreign currency forward contracts		$ (98.5)