Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	PIONEER VARIABLE CONTRACTS TRUST /MA/
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
Supplement [Text Block]	pvct_SupplementTextBlock	Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio Supplement to the Prospectus and Summary Prospectus, each dated May 1, 2017 The Trustees of Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust have authorized a change to Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio's investment objectives. Effective September 1, 2017, the following replaces the Portfolio's investment objectives: Investment objectives The portfolio seeks current income and total return.
Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Supplement [Text Block]	pvct_SupplementTextBlock	Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio Supplement to the Prospectus and Summary Prospectus, each dated May 1, 2017 The Trustees of Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust have authorized a change to Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio's investment objectives. Effective September 1, 2017, the following replaces the Portfolio's investment objectives: Investment objectives The portfolio seeks current income and total return.
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objectives
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The portfolio seeks current income and total return.

- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

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- Definition

Investment Objectives/Goals. Disclose the Fund's investment objectives or goals. A Fund also may identify its type or category (e.g., that it is a Money Market Fund or a balanced fund).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Form
-Number N-1A
-Chapter A
-Section 2
-Subsection a

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Investment Objectives/Goals. Disclose the Fund's investment objectives or goals. A Fund also may identify its type or category (e.g., that it is a Money Market Fund or a balanced fund).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Form
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- Definition

The date of the prospectus.

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-Chapter A
-Section 1
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