FOREIGN TRADE BANK OF LATIN AMERICA, INC. (SEC Filing Page | XBRL Cloud Viewer | XBRL Instance)

Line	Label	Object Class	Period Type	Balance	Report ElementName
1	101 - Document - Document And Entity Information	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation
2	Document Information [Table]	Table	*	*	dei:DocumentInformationTable
3	Ordinary Shares Of Classes [Axis]	Axis			blx:OrdinarySharesOfClassesAxis
4	Ordinary Shares Of Classes [Domain]	Member			blx:OrdinarySharesOfClassesDomain
5	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Member			blx:SharesOfClassCommonStockMember
6	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Member			blx:SharesOfClassBCommonStockMember
7	Class E Common Stock [Member]	Member			blx:SharesOfClassECommonStockMember
8	Class F Common Stock [Member]	Member			blx:SharesOfClassFCommonStockMember
9	Document Information [Line Items]	LineItems			dei:DocumentInformationLineItems
10	Document Type	Concept (Submission Type)	For Period		dei:DocumentType
11	Amendment Flag	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:AmendmentFlag
12	Document Period End Date	Concept (Date)	For Period		dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate
13	Document Fiscal Year Focus	Concept (Year)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalYearFocus
14	Document Fiscal Period Focus	Concept (Fiscal Period)	For Period		dei:DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
15	Entity Registrant Name	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		dei:EntityRegistrantName
16	Entity Central Index Key	Concept (CIK Number)	For Period		dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
17	Current Fiscal Year End Date	Concept (Month/Day)	For Period		dei:CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
18	Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
19	Entity Voluntary Filers	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityVoluntaryFilers
20	Entity Current Reporting Status	Concept (Yes/No)	For Period		dei:EntityCurrentReportingStatus
21	Entity Filer Category	Concept (Filer Category)	For Period		dei:EntityFilerCategory
22	Trading Symbol	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		dei:TradingSymbol
23	Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	Concept (Shares)	As Of		dei:EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
24	102 - Statement - Consolidated statement of financial position	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfFinancialPosition
25	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
26	Statement of financial position [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract
27	Assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
28	Cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
29	Financial Instruments:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAbstract
30	At fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
31	Securities at amortized cost, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCost
32	Loans	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:LoansAndReceivablesGross
33	Less:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ChangesInAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssetsAbstract
34	Allowance for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
35	Unearned interest and deferred fees	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:UnearnedInterestAndDeferredFees
36	Loans, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
37	Derivative financial instruments used for hedging - receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
38	Property and equipment, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
39	Intangibles, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
40	Other assets:	Abstract			ifrs-full:MiscellaneousAssetsAbstract
41	Customers' liabilities under acceptances	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndAdvancesToCustomers
42	Accrued interest receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivable
43	Other assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherAssets
44	Total of other assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:MiscellaneousAssets
45	Total assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
46	Liabilities and stockholders' equity	Abstract			ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilitiesAbstract
47	Deposits:	Abstract			ifrs-full:DepositsFromCustomersAbstract
48	Noninterest-bearing - Demand	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BalancesOnOtherDepositsFromCustomers
49	Interest-bearing - Demand	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BalancesOnDemandDepositsFromCustomers
50	Time	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:BalancesOnTermDepositsFromCustomers
51	Total deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DepositsFromCustomers
52	Derivative financial instruments used for hedging - payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
53	Financial liabilities through profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
54	Short-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
55	Long-term borrowings and debt, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
56	Other liabilities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:MiscellaneousLiabilitiesAbstract
57	Acceptances outstanding	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AcceptancesOutstanding
58	Accrued interest payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPayable
59	Allowance for expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantees contracts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AllowanceForExpectedCreditLossesOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContracts
60	Other liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherLiabilities
61	Total other liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:MiscellaneousLiabilities
62	Total liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
63	Stockholders' equity:	Abstract			ifrs-full:EquityAbstract
64	Common stock	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
65	Treasury stock	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TreasuryShares
66	Additional paid-in capital in excess of assigned value of common stock	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AdditionalPaidinCapital
67	Capital reserves	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CapitalReserve
68	Retained earnings	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
69	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome
70	Total stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
71	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilities
72	103 - Statement - Consolidated statements of profit or loss	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfProfitOrLoss
73	Statement of income [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:StatementOfIncomeTable
74	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
75	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
76	Statement of income [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:StatementOfIncomeLineItems
77	Interest income:	Abstract			us-gaap:NoninterestIncomeAbstract
78	Deposits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeOnDeposits
79	At fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeOnFinancialAssetsDesignatedAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
80	Securities at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeOnFinancialAssetsHeldForTrading
81	Loans	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeOnLoansAndReceivables
82	Total interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RevenueFromInterest
83	Interest expense:	Abstract			us-gaap:InterestExpenseAbstract
84	Deposits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnDepositsFromCustomers
85	Short and long-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnBorrowings
86	Total interest expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpense
87	Net interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestRevenueExpense
88	Other income:	Abstract			ifrs-full:MaterialIncomeAndExpenseAbstract
89	Fees and commissions, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FeeAndCommissionIncomeExpense
90	Loss on derivative financial instruments and foreign currency exchange, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:TradingIncomeExpenseOnDerivativeFinancialInstruments
91	(Loss) gain per financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
92	Gain (loss) on sale of securities at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax
93	Gain on sale of loans	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnDisposalsOfInvestmentProperties
94	Other income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherFinanceIncome
95	Net other income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherGainsLosses
96	Total income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
97	Expenses:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ExpenseByNatureAbstract
98	Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ImpairmentLossFromExpectedCreditLossesOnLoansAtAmortizedCost
99	(Recovery) impairment loss from expected credit losses on investment securities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ImpairmentLossrecoveryFromXpectedCreditLosseSonInvestmentSecurities
100	Impairment loss (recovery) from expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ImpairmentLossrecoveryFromExpectedCreditLossesOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
101	Salaries and other employee expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EmployeeBenefitsExpense
102	Depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DepreciationExpense
103	Amortization of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AmortisationExpense
104	Other expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherExpenseByNature
105	Total expenses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ExpenseByNature
106	Profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
107	Earnings per share:	Abstract			ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
108	Basic	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
109	Diluted	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
110	Weighted average basic shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
111	Weighted average diluted shares	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:AdjustedWeightedAverageShares
112	104 - Statement - Consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfProfitOrLossAndOtherComprehensiveIncome
113	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
114	Statement of comprehensive income [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
115	Profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
116	Other comprehensive income (loss):	Abstract			ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
117	Items that are not be reclassified subsequently to gains and losses:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
118	Change in fair value for revaluation by equity instrument to FVOCI, net of hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesOnHedgingInstrumentsThatHedgeInvestmentsInEquityInstruments
119	Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to gains and losses:	Abstract			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
120	Net change in unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
121	Net change in unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:UnrealizedGainLossesonDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNetOfTax
122	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnChangeInValueOfForeignCurrencyBasisSpreadsNetOfTax
123	Exchange difference in conversion of foreign operating currency	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationNetOfTax
124	Other comprehensive income (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
125	Total comprehensive income for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
126	105 - Statement - Consolidated statements of changes in equity	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInEquity
127	Statement of changes in equity [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityTable
128	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
129	Equity [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
130	Common stock [member]	Member			ifrs-full:IssuedCapitalMember
131	Treasury stock [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TreasurySharesMember
132	Additional paid-in capital in excess of assigned value of common stock [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AdditionalPaidinCapitalMember
133	Capital reserves [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CapitalReserveMember
134	Retained earnings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
135	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
136	Statement of changes in equity [line items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityLineItems
137	Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
138	Profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
139	Other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
140	Issuance of restricted stock	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IssueOfEquity
141	Compensation cost - stock options and stock units plans	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughSharebasedPaymentTransactions
142	Exercised options and stock units vested	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughExerciseOfOptions
143	Repurchase of "Class B" and "Class E" common stock	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReductionOfIssuedCapital
144	Dividends declared	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
145	Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
146	106 - Statement - Consolidated statements of cash flows	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows
147	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
148	Statement of cash flows [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
149	Cash flows from operating activities	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
150	Profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
151	Adjustments to reconcile profit for the year to net cash provided by operating activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForReconcileProfitLossAbstract
152	Activities of derivative financial instruments used for hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ActivitiesOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsUsedForHedging
153	Depreciation of equipment and leasehold improvements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationExpense
154	Amortization of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForAmortisationExpense
155	Loss for disposal of equipment and leasehold improvements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:LossesOnDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
156	Loss for disposal of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:LossesOnDisposalsOfIntangibleAssets
157	Impairment loss from expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
158	Net (gain) loss on sale of financial assets at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax
159	Compensation cost - share-based payment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForSharebasedPayments
160	Interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForInterestIncome
161	Interest expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForInterestExpense
162	Net decrease (increase) in operating assets:	Abstract			blx:ChangeInOperatingAssetsabstractAbstract
163	Net decrease (increase) in pledged deposits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInPledgedDeposits
164	Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
165	Net decrease (increase) in loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInLoansAndAdvancesToCustomers
166	Other assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInOtherAssets
167	Net increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	Abstract			blx:ChangeInOperatingLiabilitiesAbstract
168	Net increase due to depositors	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInDepositsFromCustomers
169	Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInFinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
170	Other liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInOtherLiabilities
171	Cash provided by operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperations
172	Interest received	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivedClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
173	Interest paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
174	Net cash provided by operating activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
175	Cash provided by operating activities:	Abstract			blx:CashProvidedByOperatingActivitiesAbstract
176	Cash flows from investing activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
177	Acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
178	Acquisition of intangible assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfIntangibleAssetsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
179	Proceeds from the redemption of of financial instruments at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ProceedsFromTheRedemptionOfOfFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueThroughOCI
180	Proceeds from the sale of financial instruments at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromSalesOrMaturityOfFinancialInstrumentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
181	Proceeds from maturities of financial instruments at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOrMaturityOfAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
182	Purchases of financial instruments at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfFinancialInstrumentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
183	Purchases of financial instruments at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PurchaseOfAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
184	Net cash provided by investing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
185	Cash flows from financing activities:	Abstract			ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
186	Net decrease in short-term borrowings and debt and securities sold under repurchase agreements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShorttermBorrowingsAndDebtAndSecuritiesSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreements
187	Proceeds from long-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromNoncurrentBorrowings
188	Repayments of long-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfNoncurrentBorrowings
189	Dividends paid	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DividendsPaidClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
190	Exercised stock options	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProceedsFromExerciseOfOptions
191	Repurchase of common stock	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
192	Net cash used in financing activities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
193	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalents
194	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
195	Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
196	107 - Disclosure - Corporate information	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CorporateInformation
197	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
198	Disclosure of notes and other explanatory information [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfNotesAndOtherExplanatoryInformationAbstract
199	Disclosure of notes and other explanatory information [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNotesAndOtherExplanatoryInformationExplanatory
200	108 - Disclosure - Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BasisOfPreparationOfConsolidatedFinancialStatements
201	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
202	Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:BasisOfPreparationOfTheConsolidatedFinancialStatementsAbstract
203	Disclosure of basis of preparation of financial statements [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBasisOfPreparationOfFinancialStatementsExplanatory
204	109 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies
205	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
206	Disclosure of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAbstract
207	Disclosure of significant accounting policies [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatory
208	110 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndCashEquivalents
209	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
210	Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
211	Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory
212	111 - Disclosure - Financial instruments	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstruments
213	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
214	Disclosures of financials instrument [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosuresOfFinancialsInstrumentAbstract
215	Disclosure of financial instruments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
216	112 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContracts
217	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
218	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsAbstract
219	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTextBlock
220	113 - Disclosure - Property and equipment	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment
221	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
222	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
223	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
224	114 - Disclosure - Intangible assets	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/IntangibleAssets
225	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
226	Disclosure of intangible assets [Abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsAbstract
227	Disclosure of intangible assets [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
228	115 - Disclosure - Other assets	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherAssets
229	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
230	Disclosure of other assets [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
231	Disclosure of other assets [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsExplanatory
232	116 - Disclosure - Deposits	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/Deposits
233	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
234	Disclosure of deposits from customers [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfDepositsFromCustomersAbstract
235	Disclosure of deposits from customers [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDepositsFromCustomersExplanatory
236	117 - Disclosure - Securities sold under repurchase agreements	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SecuritiesSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreements
237	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
238	Disclosure of repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsAbstract
239	Disclosure of repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsExplanatory
240	118 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebt
241	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
242	Disclosure of borrowings [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfBorrowingsAbstract
243	Disclosure of borrowings [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBorrowingsExplanatory
244	119 - Disclosure - Other liabilities	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherLiabilities
245	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
246	Disclosure of other liabilities [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherLiabilitiesAbstract
247	Disclosure of other liabilities [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherLiabilitiesExplanatory
248	120 - Disclosure - Earnings per share	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/EarningsPerShare
249	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
250	Disclosure of earnings per share [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareAbstract
251	Disclosure of earnings per share [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatory
252	121 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReserves
253	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
254	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestAbstract
255	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestExplanatory
256	122 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlans
257	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
258	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAbstract
259	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsExplanatory
260	123 - Disclosure - Business segment information	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation
261	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
262	Disclosure of operating segment [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentAbstract
263	Disclosure of operating segments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsExplanatory
264	124 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments
265	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
266	Disclosure of fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
267	Disclosure of fair value of financial instruments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
268	125 - Disclosure - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
269	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
270	Disclosure of analysis of other comprehensive income by item [Abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAnalysisOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeByItemAbstract
271	Disclosure of analysis of other comprehensive income by item [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAnalysisOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeByItemExplanatory
272	126 - Disclosure - Related party transactions	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions
273	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
274	Disclosure of related party [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyAbstract
275	Disclosure of related party [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyExplanatory
276	127 - Disclosure - Fees and commissions, net	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FeesAndCommissionsNet
277	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
278	Disclosure Of Fees And Commissions [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFeesAndCommissionsAbstract
279	Disclosure Of Fees And Commissions [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfFeesAndCommissionsTextBlock
280	128 - Disclosure - Net gain or (loss) on financial instruments at FVTPL	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/NetGainOrLossOnFinancialInstrumentsAtFvtpl
281	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
282	Disclosure of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossAbstract
283	Disclosure of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossExplanatory
284	129 - Disclosure - Salaries and other employee expenses	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SalariesAndOtherEmployeeExpenses
285	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
286	Disclosure of employee benefits [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfEmployeeBenefitsAbstract
287	Disclosure of information about employees [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatory
288	130 - Disclosure - Other expenses	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherExpenses
289	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
290	Disclosure of other operating expense [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherOperatingExpenseAbstract
291	Disclosure of expenses [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExpensesExplanatory
292	131 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies
293	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
294	Disclosure of commitments and contingent liabilities [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
295	Disclosure of commitments and contingent liabilities [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesExplanatory
296	132 - Disclosure - Litigation	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/Litigation
297	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
298	Disclosure of Information About Litigation Issues [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfInformationAboutLitigationIssuesAbstract
299	Disclosure of Information About Litigation Issues [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfInformationAboutLitigationIssuesTextBlock
300	133 - Disclosure - Risk management	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagement
301	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
302	Disclosure of financial risk management [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementAbstract
303	Disclosure of financial risk management [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementExplanatory
304	134 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SubsequentEvents
305	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
306	Disclosure of events after reporting period [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfEventsAfterReportingPeriodAbstract
307	Disclosure of events after reporting period [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEventsAfterReportingPeriodExplanatory
308	135 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies
309	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
310	Disclosure of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAbstract
311	Description of accounting policy for foreign currency translation [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForForeignCurrencyTranslationExplanatory
312	Description of accounting policy for determining components of cash and cash equivalents [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyToDetermineComponentsOfCashAndCashEquivalents
313	Description of accounting policy for financial instruments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
314	Description of accounting policy for impairment of non-financial assets [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForImpairmentOfNonfinancialAssetsExplanatory
315	Description of accounting policy for loans and receivables [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForLoansAndReceivablesExplanatory
316	Disclosure of allowance for credit losse [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfAllowanceForCreditLosseTextBlock
317	Description of accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedging [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingExplanatory
318	Description of accounting policy for repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsExplanatory
319	Description of accounting policy for borrowings [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForBorrowingsExplanatory
320	Description of accounting policy for recognition of income and expenses [Policy Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRecognitionOfIncomeAndExpensesPolicyTextBlock
321	Description of accounting policy for property, plant and equipment [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
322	Description of accounting policy for intangible assets other than goodwill [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillExplanatory
323	Description of accounting policy for offsetting of financial instruments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForOffsettingOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
324	Description of accounting policy for leases [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForLeasesExplanatory
325	Description of accounting policy for provisions [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForProvisionsExplanatory
326	Description of accounting policy for capital resereves [Policy Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForCapitalReserevesPolicyTextBlock
327	Description of accounting policy for share-based payment transactions [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSharebasedPaymentTransactionsExplanatory
328	Description of accounting policy for income tax [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIncomeTaxExplanatory
329	Description of accounting policy for earnings per share [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForEarningsPerShareExplanatory
330	Description of accounting policy for treasury shares [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForTreasurySharesExplanatory
331	Description of accounting policy for segment reporting [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSegmentReportingExplanatory
332	Disclosure of accounting judgements and estimates [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAccountingJudgementsAndEstimatesExplanatory
333	Description of other accounting policies relevant to understanding of financial statements [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfOtherAccountingPoliciesRelevantToUnderstandingOfFinancialStatements
334	136 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables
335	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
336	Disclosure of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAbstract
337	Disclosure of detailed information about useful lives or depreciation rates, property, plant and equipment [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutUsefulLivesOrDepreciationRatesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTextBlock
338	137 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndCashEquivalentsTables
339	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
340	Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
341	Disclosure of detailed information about cash and cash equivalents [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutCashAndCashEquivalentsTextBlock
342	Disclosure of detailed information about pledged deposits [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutPledgedDepositsTextBlock
343	138 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables
344	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
345	Disclosures of financials instrument [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosuresOfFinancialsInstrumentAbstract
346	Disclosure of detailed information about fair value of financial liabilites through profit or loss [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutFairValueOfFinancialLiabilitesThroughProfitOrLossTextBlock
347	Disclosure of detailed information about notional amounts, Derivative financial instruments [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutNotionalAmountsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTextBlock
348	Disclocure of detailed information about amortize cost, unrealized gain loss and fair value through other comprehensive income [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclocureOfDetailedInformationAboutAmortizeCostUnrealizedGainlossAndFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextBlock
349	Disclosure of detailed information about unrealised losses on securities held through other comprehensive income [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutUnrealisedLossesOnSecuritiesHeldThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextBlock
350	Disclosure of detailed information about Gain loss on sale of securities at fair value through other comprehensive income [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGainlossOnSaleOfSecuritiesAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextBlock
351	Disclosure of fair value of investments in equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive income [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfEachInvestmentInEquityInstrumentsDesignatedAsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeExplanatory
352	Disclosure of detailed information about amortized cost and fair value of securities by contractual maturity [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAmortizedCostAndFairValueOfSecuritiesByContractualMaturityTextBlock
353	Disclosure of allowance for credit losses [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAllowanceForCreditLossesExplanatory
354	Disclosure of detailed information about amortized cost related to unrealized gain loss and fair value by country risk [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAmortizedCostRelatedToUnrealizedGainlossAndFairValueByCountryRiskTextBlock
355	Disclosure of detailed information about amortized cost and fair value of securities at amortized cost by contractual maturity [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAmortizedCostAndFairValueOfSecuritiesAtAmortizedCostByContractualMaturityTextBlock
356	Disclosure of detailed information about amortized cost classified by credit quality indicators [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAmortizedCostClassifiedByCreditQualityIndicatorsTextBlock
357	Disclosure of allowance for credit loss relating to securities at amortized cost [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfAllowanceForCreditLossRelatingToSecuritiesAtAmortizedCostTextBlock
358	Disclosure of detailed information about gains from derecognition of cinancial instruments [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGainsFromDerecognitionOfCinancialInstrumentsTextBlock
359	Disclosure of detailed information about bank's gross loan portfolio [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBanksGrossLoanPortfolioTextBlock
360	Disclosure of detailed information about gross loan portfolio industry wise [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGrossLoanPortfolioIndustryWiseTextBlock
361	Information about credit quality of neither past due nor impaired financial assets [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:InformationAboutCreditQualityOfNeitherPastDueNorImpairedFinancialAssets
362	Disclosure of detailed information about gross loans by country risk [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGrossLoansByCountryRiskMemberTextBlock
363	Disclosure of detailed information about remaining loan maturities [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutRemainingLoanMaturitiesTextBlock
364	Disclosure of financial instruments by type of interest rate [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsByTypeOfInterestRateExplanatory
365	Disclosure of detailed information about credit impairment balances [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutCreditImpairmentBalancesTextBlock
366	Disclsoure of Interest revenue for financial assets [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclsoureOfInterestRevenueForFinancialAssetsTextBlock
367	Disclosure of provision matrix [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProvisionMatrixExplanatory
368	Disclosure of detailed information about modified financial assets where modification does not result in derecognition [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutModifiedFinancialAssetsWhereModificationDoesNotResultInDerecognitionTextBlock
369	Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in loss allowance and explanation of changes in gross carrying amount for financial instruments [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInLossAllowanceAndExplanationOfChangesInGrossCarryingAmountForFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
370	Disclosure of detailed information about allowances for credit losses, loans amortized [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAllowancesForCreditLossesLoansAmortizedTextBlock
371	Disclosure of detailed information about hedges [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgesExplanatory
372	Disclosure of detailed information about gains and losses resulting from activities of derivative financial instruments and hedging [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGainsAndLossesResultingFromActivitiesOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndHedgingTextBlock
373	Disclosure of detailed information about gainloss on derivative financial instruments and gainloss of hedge asset or liability related to qualifying fair value hedges [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutGainlossOnDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndGainlossOfHedgeAssetOrLiabilityRelatedToQualifyingFairValueHedgesTextBlock
374	Disclosure of detailed information about hedged items [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgedItemsExplanatory
375	Disclosure of information about terms and conditions of hedging instruments and how they affect future cash flows [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutTermsAndConditionsOfHedgingInstrumentsAndHowTheyAffectFutureCashFlowsExplanatory
376	Disclosure of detailed information about sources of ineffectiveness for our cash flow hedge positions [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutSourcesOfIneffectivenessForOurCashFlowHedgePositionsTextBlock
377	Disclosure of offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOffsettingOfFinancialAssetsAndFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
378	Disclosure of offsetting of financial liabilities [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOffsettingOfFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
379	Disclosure of detailed information about reconciliation of liabilities offset or are subject to master netting agreements to individual line items [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutReconciliationOfLiabilitiesOffsetOrAreSubjectToMasterNettingAgreementsToIndividualLineItemsTextBlock
380	139 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTables
381	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
382	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsAbstract
383	Disclosure of detailed information about outstanding loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOutstandingLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTextBlock
384	Disclosure of detailed information about remaining maturity of outstanding loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutRemainingMaturityOfOutstandingLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTextBlock
385	Disclosure of detailed information about loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts classfied by credit quality indicators [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsClassfiedByCreditQualityIndicatorsTextBlock
386	Disclosure of detailed information about breakdown of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts exposure by country risk [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBreakdownOfLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsExposureByCountryRiskTextBlock
387	Disclosure of detailed information about allowance for credit losses related to loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAllowanceForCreditLossesRelatedToLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTextBlock
388	140 - Disclosure - Property and equipment (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables
389	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
390	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
391	Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
392	141 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTables
393	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
394	Disclosure of intangible assets [Abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsAbstract
395	Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
396	142 - Disclosure - Other assets (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherAssetsTables
397	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
398	Disclosure of other assets [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
399	The disclosure of detailed information of other assets [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:TheDisclosureOfDetailedInformationOfOtherAssetsTextBlock
400	143 - Disclosure - Deposits (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/DepositsTables
401	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
402	Disclosure of deposits from customers [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfDepositsFromCustomersAbstract
403	Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Maturity Period Of Bank Deposits [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutMaturityPeriodOfBankDepositsTextBlock
404	Disclosure Of Additional Information Of Bank Deposits [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfAdditionalInformationOfBankDepositsTextBlock
405	144 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebtTables
406	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
407	Disclosure of borrowings [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfBorrowingsAbstract
408	Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Short Term Borrowing And Debt [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutShortTermBorrowingAndDebtTextBlock
409	Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Long Term Borrowing And Debt [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutLongTermBorrowingAndDebtTextBlock
410	Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Maturities Long Term Borrowing And Debt [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutMaturitiesLongTermBorrowingAndDebtTextBlock
411	145 - Disclosure - Other liabilities (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherLiabilitiesTables
412	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
413	Disclosure of other liabilities [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherLiabilitiesAbstract
414	Disclosure of detailed information about other liabilities [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherLiabilitiesTextBlock
415	146 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables
416	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
417	Disclosure of earnings per share [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareAbstract
418	Disclosure of detailed information about reconciliation of income and shares in earnings per share [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutReconciliationOfIncomeAndSharesInEarningsPerShareTextBlock
419	147 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReservesTables
420	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
421	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestAbstract
422	Disclosure of detailed information about common shares activity per class shares [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutCommonSharesActivityPerClassSharestextBlockTextBlock
423	Disclosure of treasury shares [text block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTreasurySharesExplanatory
424	Disclosure of capital reserve [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfCapitalReserveTextBlock
425	148 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Tables)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansTables
426	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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431	Disclosure of detailed information about share options granted [Text Block]	Concept (Text Block (HTML))	For Period		blx:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutShareOptionsGrantedTextBlock
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529	163 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndCashEquivalentsDetails1
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672	Due within 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
673	After 1 year but within 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
674	After 5 years but within 10 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsAndNotLaterThanTenYearsMember
675	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
676	Amortized Cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FairValueOfFinancialAssetsReclassifiedAsMeasuredAtAmortisedCost
677	Fair Value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FairValueOfFinancialAssetsReclassifiedOutOfFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeCategoryIntoAmortisedCostCategory
678	174 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 10)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails10
679	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
680	External credit grades [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ExternalCreditGradesAxis
681	Entity's total for external credit grades [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForExternalCreditGradesMember
682	Rating 1-4 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades1To4Member
683	Rating 5-6 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades5To6Member
684	Rating 7 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades7Member
685	Rating 8 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades8Member
686	Rating 9 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades9Member
687	Rating 10 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades10Member
688	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
689	Amortized Cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FairValueOfFinancialAssetsReclassifiedAsMeasuredAtAmortisedCost
690	175 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 11)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails11
691	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
692	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesAxis
693	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesMember
694	Stage 1 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TwelvemonthExpectedCreditLossesMember
695	Stage 2 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LifetimeExpectedCreditLossesMember
696	Stage 3 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CreditImpairmentOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
697	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
698	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
699	Financial assets at amortised cost, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCostCategoryMember
700	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
701	Allowance for expected credit losses at beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
702	Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AdditionalAllowanceRecognisedInProfitOrLossAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
703	Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:TransferToCreditimpairedFinancialAssets
704	Transfer to 12-month expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:TransferToTwelveMonthExpectedCreditLosses
705	Net effect of changes in reserve for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
706	Financial assets that have been derecognized during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsDerecognized
707	Changes due to financial instruments recognized as of December 31	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAdjustmentsArisingFromPassageOfTimeAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
708	New financial assets originated or purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseThroughOriginationOrPurchaseFinancialAssets
709	Allowance for expected credit losses at ending	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
710	176 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 12)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails12
711	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
712	Disclosures of financials instrument [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosuresOfFinancialsInstrumentAbstract
713	Assignments and Participations	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:AssignmentsAndParticipationOfFinancialInstruments
714	Gains	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsArisingFromDerecognitionOfFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtAmortisedCost
715	177 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 13)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails13
716	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
717	Customer [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersAxis
718	Customers [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersMember
719	Private corporations [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateCorporationsMember
720	State-owned corporations [Member]	Member			blx:StateownedCorporationsMember
721	Private banking and financial institutions [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateBankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
722	State-owned banking and financial institutions [Member]	Member			blx:StateownedBankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
723	Private middle-market companies [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateMiddlemarketCompaniesMember
724	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
725	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
726	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
727	Repurchase agreements	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
728	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
729	178 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 14)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails14
730	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
731	Customer [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersAxis
732	Customers [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersMember
733	Banking and financial institutions [Member]	Member			blx:BankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
734	Industrial [Member]	Member			blx:IndustrialMember
735	Oil and petroleum derived products [Member]	Member			blx:OilAndPetroleumDerivedProductsMember
736	Agricultural [Member]	Member			blx:AgriculturalMember
737	Services [Member]	Member			blx:ServicesMember
738	Mining [Member]	Member			blx:MiningMember
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740	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
741	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
742	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
743	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
744	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
745	179 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 15)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails15
746	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
747	Customer [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersAxis
748	Customers [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersMember
749	Private corporations [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateCorporationsMember
750	State-owned corporations [Member]	Member			blx:StateownedCorporationsMember
751	Private banking and financial institutions [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateBankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
752	State-owned banking and financial institutions [Member]	Member			blx:StateownedBankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
753	Private middle-market companies [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateMiddlemarketCompaniesMember
754	External credit grades [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ExternalCreditGradesAxis
755	Entity's total for external credit grades [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForExternalCreditGradesMember
756	Rating 1-4 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades1To4Member
757	Rating 5-6 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades5To6Member
758	Rating 7 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades7Member
759	Rating 8 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades8Member
760	Rating 9 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades9Member
761	Rating 10 [member]	Member			blx:ExternalCreditGrades10Member
762	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
763	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
764	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
765	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
766	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
767	180 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 16)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails16
768	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
769	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
770	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
771	Argentina [Member]	Member			blx:ArgentinaMember
772	Belgium [Member]	Member			blx:BelgiumMember
773	Bolivia [Member]	Member			blx:BoliviaMember
774	Brazil [Member]	Member			blx:BrazilMember
775	Chile [Member]	Member			blx:ChileMember
776	Colombia [Member]	Member			blx:ColombiaMember
777	Costa Rica [Member]	Member			blx:CostaRicaMember
778	Dominican Republic [Member]	Member			blx:DominicanRepublicMember
779	Ecuador [Member]	Member			blx:EcuadorMember
780	El Salvador [Member]	Member			blx:ElSalvadorMember
781	Germany [Member]	Member			blx:GermanyMember
782	Guatemala [Member]	Member			blx:GuatemalaMember
783	Honduras [Member]	Member			blx:HondurasMember
784	Jamaica [Member]	Member			blx:JamaicaMember
785	Luxembourg [Member]	Member			blx:LuxembourgMember
786	Mexico [Member]	Member			blx:MexicoMember
787	Nicaragua [Member]	Member			blx:NicaraguaMember
788	Panama [Member]	Member			blx:PanamaMember
789	Paraguay [Member]	Member			blx:ParaguayMember
790	Peru [Member]	Member			blx:PeruMember
791	Singapore [Member]	Member			blx:SingaporeMember
792	Switzerland [Member]	Member			blx:SwitzerlandMember
793	Trinidad and Tobago [Member]	Member			blx:TrinidadAndTobagoMember
794	United States of America [Member]	Member			blx:UnitedStatesOfAmericaMember
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796	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
797	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
798	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
799	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
800	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
801	181 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 17)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails17
802	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
803	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
804	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
805	Loan commitments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LoanCommitmentsMember
806	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
807	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
808	Up to 1 month [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneMonthMember
809	From 1 month to 3 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneMonthAndNotLaterThanThreeMonthsMember
810	From 3 months to 6 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanSixMonthsMember
811	From 6 months to 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanSixMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYearMember
812	From 1 year to 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
813	From 2 to 5 years [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearMember
814	More than 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
815	Impairment of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ImpairmentOfFinancialAssetsAxis
816	Entity's total for impairment of financial assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForImpairmentOfFinancialAssetsMember
817	Financial assets impaired [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsImpairedMember
818	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
819	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
820	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
821	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
822	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
823	182 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 18)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails18
824	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
825	Types of interest rates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfInterestRatesAxis
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829	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
830	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
831	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
832	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
833	Loans and receivables	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
834	183 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 19)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails19
835	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
836	Customer [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersAxis
837	Customers [member]	Member			ifrs-full:MajorCustomersMember
838	Private corporations [Member]	Member			blx:PrivateCorporationsMember
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840	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
841	Recorded investment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:ImpairedFinancialReceivableWithRelatedAllowanceRecordedInvestment
842	Past due principal balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:ImpairedFinancialReceivableWithRelatedAllowanceUnpaidPrincipalBalance
843	Related allowance Stage 3	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:ImpairedFinancialReceivableRelatedAllowanceStageThree
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845	Balance Interest recognized	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:ImpairedFinancialReceivableWithRelatedAllowanceInterestIncomeAccrualMethod
846	184 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 20)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails20
847	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
848	Impairment of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ImpairmentOfFinancialAssetsAxis
849	Entity's total for impairment of financial assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForImpairmentOfFinancialAssetsMember
850	Interest income on credit impairment [Member]	Member			blx:InterestIncomeOnCreditImpairmentMember
851	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
852	Interest revenue calculated on the net carrying amount(net of credit allowance)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:InterestRevenuenetCarryingAmount
853	185 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 21)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails21
854	Disclosure of financial instruments [table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
855	Past due status [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:PastDueStatusAxis
856	Past due status [member]	Member			ifrs-full:PastDueStatusMember
857	91-120 days [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanNintyOneDaysAndNotLaterThanOneTwentyDaysMember
858	121-150 days [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanOneTwentyDaysAndLaterThanOneFiftyDaysMember
859	151-180 days [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanOneFiftyOneDayAndLaterThanOneEightyDaysMember
860	Greater than 180 days [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanOneEightyDaysMember
861	Total past due [member]	Member			blx:TotalPastDueMember
862	Delinquent [member]	Member			blx:DelinquentMember
863	Current [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CurrentMember
864	Total [Member]	Member			blx:TotalMember
865	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
866	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
867	Corporations [member]	Member			blx:CorporationsMember
868	Banking and financial institutions [member]	Member			blx:BankingAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
869	Middle-market companies [member]	Member			blx:MiddleMarketCompaniesMember
870	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
871	Financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
872	186 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details 22)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails22
873	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
874	Classes of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
875	Financial instruments, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
876	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
877	Gross carrying amount before modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesForWhichLossAllowanceChangedDuringReportingPeriodTo12MonthExpectedCreditLossesGrossCarryingAmountBeforeModification
878	Loss allowance before modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:FinancialAssetsWithContractualCashFlowsModifiedDuringReportingPeriodWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesLossAllowanceBeforeModification
879	Net amortized cost before modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesForWhichLossAllowanceChangedDuringReportingPeriodTo12MonthExpectedCreditLossesNetCarryingAmountBeforeModification
880	Gross carrying amount after modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsWithModifiedContractualCashFlowsWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesForWhichLossAllowanceChangedDuringReportingPeriodTo12monthExpectedCreditLossesGrossCarryingAmount
881	Loss allowance after modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:FinancialAssetsWithContractualCashFlowsModifiedDuringReportingPeriodWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesLossAllowanceAfterModification
882	Net amortized cost after modification	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsWithModifiedContractualCashFlowsWhileLossAllowanceMeasuredAtLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesForWhichLossAllowanceChangedDuringReportingPeriodTo12MonthExpectedCreditLossesNetCarryingAmount
883	187 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details 23)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails23
884	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
885	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
886	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
887	Loans and receivables, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivablesCategoryMember
888	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesAxis
889	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesMember
890	12-month expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TwelvemonthExpectedCreditLossesMember
891	Lifetime expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LifetimeExpectedCreditLossesMember
892	Credit impairment of financial instruments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CreditImpairmentOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
893	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
894	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
895	Transfer in book value to stage 2	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersInBookValueToLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesFinancialAssets
896	Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses - credit-impaired	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersToLifetimeExpectedCreditLossesFinancialAssets
897	Transfer in book value to stage 1	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersInBookValueToTwelveMonthExpectedCreditLossesFinancialAssets
898	Financial assets that have been derecognized during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughDerecognitionFinancialAssets
899	Changes due to financial instruments recognized	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseInFinancialAssetsDueToRecognition
900	New financial assets originated or purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseThroughOriginationOrPurchaseFinancialAssets
901	Write-offs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughWriteoffFinancialAssets
902	Ending Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
903	188 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 24)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails24
904	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
905	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesAxis
906	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesMember
907	Stage 1 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TwelvemonthExpectedCreditLossesMember
908	Stage 2 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LifetimeExpectedCreditLossesMember
909	Stage 3 [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CreditImpairmentOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
910	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
911	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
912	Loans and receivables, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivablesCategoryMember
913	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
914	Allowance for expected credit losses at beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
915	Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses - not credit-impaired	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersToLifetimeExpectedcreditLossesNotCreditImpairedAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
916	Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses - credit-impaired	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersToLifetimeExpectedcreditLossesCreditImpairedAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
917	Transfer to 12-month expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:TransferToTwelveMonthExpectedCreditLosses
918	Net effect of changes in reserve for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
919	Financial assets that have been derecognized during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsDerecognized
920	Changes due to financial instruments recognized as of December 31	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughAdjustmentsArisingFromPassageOfTimeAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
921	New financial assets originated or purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:NewFinancialAssetsOriginatedPurchased
922	Write-offs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:DecreaseThroughWriteOffFinancialAssetsCurrent
923	Recoveries of amounts previously written off	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ReversalAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
924	Allowance for expected credit losses at ending	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
925	189 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 25)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails25
926	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
927	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
928	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
929	Interest rate swaps	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
930	Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Member			ifrs-full:CurrencySwapContractMember
931	Foreign exchange forward	Member			ifrs-full:ForwardContractMember
932	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
933	Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
934	Fair value hedges:	Member			ifrs-full:FairValueHedgesMember
935	Cash flow hedges:	Member			ifrs-full:CashFlowHedgesMember
936	Net investment hedges:	Member			ifrs-full:HedgesOfNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsMember
937	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
938	Nominal Amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:NominalAmountOfHedgingInstrument1
939	Carrying amount of the hedging instrument, Asset	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
940	Carrying amount of the hedging instrument, Liability	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
941	Changes in fair value used for calculating hedge ineffectiveness	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCreditDerivativeFairValue
942	190 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 26)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails26
943	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
944	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
945	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
946	Interest rate swaps [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
947	Cross-currency swaps [member]	Member			blx:CrosscurrencyInterestRateSwapsMember
948	Forward foreign exchange [member]	Member			blx:ForeignForwardContractMember
949	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
950	Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
951	Interest Income Statements [Axis]	Axis			blx:InterestIncomeStatementsAxis
952	Interest Income Statements [Domain]	Member			blx:InterestIncomeStatementsDomain
953	Gain loss on interest rate swap [Member]	Member			blx:GainlossOnInterestRateSwapMember
954	Gain loss on foreign exchange [Member]	Member			blx:GainlossOnForeignExchangeMember
955	Interest income - loans [Member]	Member			blx:InterestIncomeLoansAtAmortizedCostMember
956	Interest income - securities at FVOCI [Member]	Member			blx:InterestIncomeSecuritiesAtFVOCIMember
957	Interest expense - borrowings and debt [Member]	Member			blx:InterestExpenseBorrowingsAndDebtMember
958	Interest expenses - deposits [Member]	Member			blx:InterestExpensesDepositsMember
959	Gain loss on foreign currency exchange [Member]	Member			blx:GainlossOnForeignCurrencyExchangeMember
960	Hedging Relationship [Axis]	Axis			us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
961	Hedging Relationship [Domain]	Member			us-gaap:HedgingRelationshipDomain
962	Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Member			us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
963	Net Investment Hedging [Member]	Member			us-gaap:NetInvestmentHedgingMember
964	Derivative Instrument [Axis]	Axis			us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
965	Derivative Contract [Domain]	Member			us-gaap:DerivativeContractTypeDomain
966	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
967	Gains (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnHedgesOfNetInvestmentsInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
968	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI to the consolidated statement of profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
969	Gain (loss) recognized on derivatives (ineffective portion)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainLossOnHedgeIneffectiveness
970	191 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 27)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails27
971	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
972	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
973	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
974	Interest rate swap contract [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
975	Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]	Member			blx:CrosscurrencyInterestRateSwapsMember
976	Gainlosson financial instruments [Axis]	Axis			blx:GainlossonFinancialInstrumentsAxis
977	Gainlosson financial instruments [Domain]	Member			blx:GainlossonFinancialInstrumentsDomain
978	Gainloss on hedge item [Member]	Member			blx:GainlossOnHedgeItemMember
979	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
980	Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
981	Fair value hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FairValueHedgesMember
982	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
983	Gain (loss) on derivatives	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnChangeInFairValueOfDerivatives
984	Gain (loss) on hedge item	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainLossOnHedgeIneffectiveness
985	Net gain (loss)	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:GainslossesOnFinancialInstruments
986	Interest income - securities at FVOCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestRevenueForFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
987	Interest income loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeForFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtAmortisedCost
988	Interest expenses - borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnBorrowings
989	Derivative financial instruments and hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnHedgesOfNetInvestmentsInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
990	192 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 28)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails28
991	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
992	Hedged items [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:HedgedItemsAxis
993	Hedged items [member]	Member			ifrs-full:HedgedItemsMember
994	Loans [Member]	Member			blx:LoanMember
995	Issuances [Member]	Member			blx:IssuancesMember
996	Foreign exchange rate risk and FX [Member]	Member			blx:SecuritiesAsFairValueOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
997	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
998	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
999	Interest Rate Risk [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1000	Currency risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
1001	Types of hedges [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
1002	Hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
1003	Fair value hedges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FairValueHedgesMember
1004	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1005	Line item in the statement of financial position	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfLineItemInStatementOfFinancialPositionThatIncludesHedgedItem
1006	Carrying amount, assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:HedgedItemAssets
1007	Carrying amount, liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:HedgedItemLiabilities
1008	Thereof accumulated fair value adjustments, assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:AccumulatedFairValueHedgeAdjustmentOnHedgedItemIncludedInCarryingAmountAssets
1009	Thereof accumulated fair value adjustments, liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AccumulatedFairValueHedgeAdjustmentOnHedgedItemIncludedInCarryingAmountLiabilities
1010	193 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 29)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails29
1011	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1012	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1013	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1014	Foreign Exchange risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
1015	Interest Rate Risk [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1016	Foreign exchange and interest rate risk [Member]	Member			blx:ForeignExchangeAndInterestRateRiskMember
1017	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1018	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1019	Up to 1 month [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1020	31 to 60 days [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneMonthAndNotLaterThanTwoMonthsMember
1021	61 to 90 days [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoMonthsAndNotLaterThanThreeMonthsMember
1022	91 to 180 days [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanSixMonthsMember
1023	181 to 365 days [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanSixMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYearMember
1024	1 to 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
1025	2 to 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1026	More than 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1027	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1028	Nominal amount of hedging instrument	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NominalAmountOfHedgingInstrument
1029	194 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 30)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails30
1030	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1031	Cash flow hedge positions [Axis]	Axis			blx:CashFlowHedgePositionsAxis
1032	Cash flow hedge positions [Domain]	Member			blx:CashFlowHedgePositionsDomain
1033	USD OIS [Member]	Member			blx:USDOISMember
1034	Tenor [Member]	Member			blx:TenorMember
1035	Xccy basis [Member]	Member			blx:XccyBasisMember
1036	Credit spread [Member]	Member			blx:CreditSpreadMember
1037	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1038	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1039	Interest Rate Risk [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1040	Foreign exchange risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
1041	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1042	Gains (losses) on ineffectiveness of cash flow hedges recognised in profit or loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnIneffectivenessOfCashFlowHedgesRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1043	195 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 31)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails31
1044	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1045	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1046	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1047	Gross amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1048	Types of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1049	Financial assets, type [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsTypeMember
1050	Derivative financial instruments hedging [Member]	Member			blx:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsHedgingMember
1051	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1052	Gross amounts assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1053	Gross amounts offset in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:GrossFinancialAssetsSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreements
1054	Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetFinancialAssetsSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreementsInStatementOfFinancialPosition
1055	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialInstrumentsSubjectToEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementOrSimilarAgreementNotSetOffAgainstFinancialAssets
1056	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Cash collateral received	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CashCollateralReceivedSubjectToEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementOrSimilarAgreementNotSetOffAgainstFinancialAssets
1057	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Net Amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetFinancialAssetsSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreements
1058	196 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details 32)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails32
1059	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1060	Types of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1061	Financial assets, type [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsTypeMember
1062	Derivative financial instruments hedging [Member]	Member			blx:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsHedgingMember
1063	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1064	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1065	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1066	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1067	Gross amounts assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1068	Gross amounts offset in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:GrossFinancialAssetsSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreements
1069	Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetFinancialAssetsSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreementsInStatementOfFinancialPosition
1070	197 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details 33)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails33
1071	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1072	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1073	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1074	Gross carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1075	Types of financial liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
1076	Financial liabilities, type [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesTypeMember
1077	Financial liabilities at Fair value other comprehensive income [Member]	Member			blx:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
1078	Derivative financial instruments hedging [Member]	Member			blx:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsHedgingMember
1079	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1080	Financial liabilities at FVTPL	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentFinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
1081	Derivative financial instruments - hedging	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1082	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValue
1083	Gross amounts offset in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:GrossFinancialLiabilitiesSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreements
1084	Net amount of liabilities presented in the consolidated statement of financial position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetFinancialLiabilitiesSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreementsInStatementOfFinancialPosition
1085	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialInstrumentsSubjectToEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementOrSimilarAgreementNotSetOffAgainstFinancialLiabilities
1086	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Cash collateral pledged	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashCollateralPledgedSubjectToEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementOrSimilarAgreementNotSetOffAgainstFinancialLiabilities
1087	Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statement of financial position Net Amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:NetFinancialLiabilitiesSubjectToOffsettingEnforceableMasterNettingArrangementsOrSimilarAgreements
1088	198 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Details 34)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetails34
1089	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1090	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
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1092	Gross amounts of liabilities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1093	Types of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1094	Financial assets, type [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsTypeMember
1095	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1096	Financial liabilities at FVTPL	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentFinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
1097	Derivative financial instruments used for hedging	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1098	Total derivative financial instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValue
1099	199 - Disclosure - Financial instruments (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsDetailsTextual
1100	Disclosure of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1101	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1102	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
1103	Financial assets at amortised cost, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCostCategoryMember
1104	Types of interest rates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfInterestRatesAxis
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1106	Fixed interest rate [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FixedInterestRateMember
1107	Annual interest rate [Member]	Member			blx:AnnualInterestRateMember
1108	Range [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
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1111	Top of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1112	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1113	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1114	Classes of ordinary shares [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfOrdinarySharesAxis
1115	Ordinary shares [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
1116	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1117	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1118	Equity investments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityInvestmentsMember
1119	Disclosure of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
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1121	Interest rate fluctuations of loans at amortized cost, financial assets	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:InterestRateFluctuationsOfLoansAtAmortizedCostFinancialAssets
1122	Description of duration of hedging, financial assets	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfDurationOfHedgingFinancialAssets
1123	Interest income, Hedged loans	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:InterestIncomeHedgedLoans
1124	Interest expenses, Hedge financial assets for sale of securities	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:InterestExpensesHedgeFinancialAssetsForSaleOfSecurities
1125	Dation In Payment Received Other Real Estate Owned Property	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:DationInPaymentReceivedOtherRealEstateOwnedProperty
1126	Notional amount	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1127	Financial assets at amortised cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCost
1128	Revenue	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:Revenue
1129	Impaired Loans Fair Value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:ImpairedLoansFairValue
1130	Allowance account for credit losses of financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1131	200 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsDetails
1132	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfLoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsTable
1133	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
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1135	Confirmed letters of credit [Member]	Member			blx:ConfirmedLettersOfCreditMember
1136	Stand-by letters of credit and guaranteed - Commercial risk [Member]	Member			blx:StandbyLettersOfCreditAndGuaranteedMember
1137	Credit commitments [Member]	Member			blx:CreditCommitmentsMember
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1139	Financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
1140	201 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsDetails1
1141	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Table]	Table	*	*	us-gaap:StatementTable
1142	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1143	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1144	Up to 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1145	From 1 to 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
1146	From 2 to 5 years [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearMember
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1148	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Line Items]	LineItems			us-gaap:StatementLineItems
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1150	202 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Details 2)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsDetails2
1151	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Table]	Table	*	*	us-gaap:StatementTable
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1160	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Line Items]	LineItems			us-gaap:StatementLineItems
1161	Financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
1162	203 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Details 3)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsDetails3
1163	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Table]	Table	*	*	us-gaap:StatementTable
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1181	Switzerland [Member]	Member			blx:SwitzerlandMember
1182	United Kingdom [Member]	Member			blx:UnitedKingdomMember
1183	Uruguay [Member]	Member			blx:UruguayMember
1184	Chile [Member]	Member			blx:ChileMember
1185	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Line Items]	LineItems			us-gaap:StatementLineItems
1186	Financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
1187	204 - Disclosure - Loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts (Details 4)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/LoansCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteesContractsDetails4
1188	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Table]	Table	*	*	us-gaap:StatementTable
1189	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesAxis
1190	Type of measurement of expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypeOfMeasurementOfExpectedCreditLossesMember
1191	Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LifetimeExpectedCreditLossesMember
1192	Transfer to credit-impaired instruments [member]	Member			blx:CreditimpairedInstrumentsMember
1193	Transfer to 12-month expected credit losses [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TwelvemonthExpectedCreditLossesMember
1194	Credit impairment of financial instruments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CreditImpairmentOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
1195	Credit impairment of financial instruments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CreditImpairmentOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
1196	Financial instruments not credit-impaired one [Member]	Member			blx:FinancialInstrumentsNotCreditimpairedOneMember
1197	Financial instruments not credit-impaired Two [Member]	Member			blx:FinancialInstrumentsNotCreditimpairedTwoMember
1198	Financial instruments credit-impaired [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialInstrumentsCreditimpairedMember
1199	Disclosure of loans commitments and financial guarantees contracts [Line Items]	LineItems			us-gaap:StatementLineItems
1200	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1201	Increase (decrease) through transfers, exposure to credit risk on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1202	Net effect of changes in reserve for expected credit loss	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:IncreasedecreaseInReservesForExpectedCreditLoss
1203	Instruments that have been derecognized during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughDerecognitionExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1204	Changes due to instruments recognized as of December 31	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1205	New instruments originated or purchased	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:IncreaseThroughOriginationOrPurchaseExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1206	End Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ExposureToCreditRiskOnLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1207	205 - Disclosure - Property and equipment (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentDetails
1208	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Table]	Table	*	*	us-gaap:StatementTable
1209	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1210	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1211	Cost [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1212	Accumulated amortization [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortisationMember
1213	Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1214	Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1215	IT equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OfficeEquipmentMember
1216	Furniture and fixtures [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FixturesAndFittingsMember
1217	Leasehold improvement [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LeaseholdImprovementsMember
1218	Other equipment [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OtherPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1219	Disclosure of property, plant and equipment [Line Items]	LineItems			us-gaap:StatementLineItems
1220	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1221	Additions	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1222	Depreciation expense of the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1223	Disposals	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DisposalsAndRetirementsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1224	Ending Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1225	206 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/IntangibleAssetsDetails
1226	Disclosure of intangible asset [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetTable
1227	Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1228	Carrying amount [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1229	Gross amounts of assets [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1230	Accumulated amortization [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortisationMember
1231	Disclosure of intangible asset [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetLineItems
1232	Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets other than goodwill [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfChangesInIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillAbstract
1233	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1234	Additions other than through business combinations, intangible assets other than goodwill	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1235	Disposals and retirements, intangible assets other than goodwill	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:DisposalsAndRetirementsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1236	Ending Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1237	Intangible Assets Carrying Value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:IntangibleAssetsCarryingValue
1238	Changes in intangible assets other than goodwill [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:ChangesInIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillAbstract
1239	Amortization expense of the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1240	207 - Disclosure - Other assets (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherAssetsDetails
1241	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1242	Disclosure of other assets [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
1243	Accounts receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:TradeReceivables
1244	Real estate owned	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:OtherRealEstateOwnedProperty
1245	IT projects under development	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentPropertyUnderConstructionOrDevelopment
1246	Other	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:OtherRealStateOwnedToOtherAsset
1247	Other assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherAssets
1248	208 - Disclosure - Other assets (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherAssetsDetailsTextual
1249	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1250	Disclosure of other assets [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
1251	Leasing Property Under Development	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:LeasingPropertyUnderDevelopment
1252	209 - Disclosure - Deposits (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/DepositsDetails
1253	Disclosure of deposits from customers [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfDepositsFromCustomersTable
1254	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1255	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1256	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1257	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1258	Demand [Member]	Member			us-gaap:MaturityOnDemandMember
1259	Up to 1 month [Member]	Member			blx:UpToOneMonthMemberMember
1260	From 1 year to 2 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
1261	From 2 years to 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1262	From 1 month to 3 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneMonthAndNotLaterThanThreeMonthsMember
1263	From 3 month to 6 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanSixMonthsMember
1264	From 6 month to 1 year	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanSixMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYearMember
1265	Disclosure of deposits from customers [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfDepositsFromCustomersLineItems
1266	Deposits from customers	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DepositsFromCustomers
1267	210 - Disclosure - Deposits (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/DepositsDetails1
1268	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1269	Disclosure of other assets [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
1270	Aggregate amounts of time deposits of $100,000 or more	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:TimeDeposits100000OrMoreFromCusstomer
1271	Aggregate amounts of deposits in the New York Agency	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AggregateAmountsOfDepositsInNewYorkAgency
1272	Interest expense to deposits in the New York Agency	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:InterestExpensePaidToDepositsInNewYorkAgency
1273	211 - Disclosure - Securities sold under repurchase agreements (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SecuritiesSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsDetailsTextual
1274	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1275	Disclosure of repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsAbstract
1276	Repurchase agreements and cash collateral on securities lent	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:RepurchaseAgreementsAndCashCollateralOnSecuritiesLent
1277	Interest Expense Under Repurchase Agreements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:InterestExpenseUnderRepurchaseAgreements
1278	212 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebtDetails
1279	Disclosure of borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfBorrowingsTable
1280	Range [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1281	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1282	Bottom of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1283	Weighted Average [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:WeightedAverageMember
1284	Top of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1285	Types of interest rates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfInterestRatesAxis
1286	Interest rate types [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateTypesMember
1287	Fixed interest rate [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FixedInterestRateMember
1288	Floating interest rate [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FloatingInterestRateMember
1289	During the Year [Member]	Member			blx:DuringYearMemberMember
1290	Debt Type Axis [Axis]	Axis			blx:DebtTypeAxisAxis
1291	Debt Type [Domain]	Member			blx:DebtTypeDomain
1292	Short term borrowings and debt [Member]	Member			blx:ShortTermBorrowingsAndDebtMember
1293	Foreign Currency [Axis]	Axis			blx:ForeignCurrencyAxis
1294	Foreign Currency [Domain]	Member			blx:ForeignCurrencyDomain
1295	US dollar [Member]	Member			blx:USDollarMember
1296	Mexican peso [Member]	Member			blx:MexicanPesoMember
1297	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1298	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1299	Short term debt [Member]	Member			blx:ShortTermDebtsMember
1300	Liabilities arising from financing activities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesAxis
1301	Liabilities arising from financing activities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesMember
1302	Short-term borrowings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowingsMember
1303	Disclosure of short term borrowings [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfShortTermBorrowingsLineItems
1304	Average outstanding balance during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:ShortTermDebtAverageOutstanding
1305	Maximum outstanding balance at any month - end	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:ShortTermDebtMaximumMonthendOutstanding
1306	Borrowings, interest rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:BorrowingsInterestRate
1307	Total short-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
1308	213 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebtDetails1
1309	Disclosure of long-term borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfLongtermBorrowingsTable
1310	Class of Stock [Axis]	Axis			us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis
1311	Class of Stock [Domain]	Member			us-gaap:ClassOfStockDomain
1312	Range [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1313	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1314	Bottom of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1315	Weighted Average [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:WeightedAverageMember
1316	Top of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1317	Types of interest rates [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfInterestRatesAxis
1318	Interest rate types [member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateTypesMember
1319	Floating interest rate [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FloatingInterestRateMember
1320	Fixed interest rate [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FixedInterestRateMember
1321	During the Year [Member]	Member			blx:DuringYearMember
1322	Debt Type Axis [Axis]	Axis			blx:DebtTypeAxisAxis
1323	Debt Type [Domain]	Member			blx:DebtTypeDomain
1324	Long Term Borrowings And Debt [Member]	Member			blx:LongTermBorrowingsAndDebtMember
1325	Foreign Currency [Axis]	Axis			blx:ForeignCurrencyAxis
1326	Foreign Currency [Domain]	Member			blx:ForeignCurrencyDomain
1327	US Dollar [Member]	Member			blx:USDollarMember
1328	Mexican Peso [Member]	Member			blx:MexicanPesoMember
1329	Japanese Yen [Member]	Member			blx:JapaneseYenMember
1330	Euros Member [Member]	Member			blx:EurosMemberMember
1331	Australian Dollar [Member]	Member			blx:AustralianDollarMember
1332	Borrowings by name [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1333	Borrowings by name [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1334	Long-term Debt [member]	Member			blx:LongTermDebtsMember
1335	Liabilities arising from financing activities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesAxis
1336	Liabilities arising from financing activities [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesMember
1337	Long-term borrowings [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowingsMember
1338	Disclosure of long-term borrowings [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfLongtermBorrowingsLineItems
1339	Average outstanding balance during the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:LongTermDebtAverageOutstanding
1340	Maximum outstanding balance at any month - end	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:LongTermDebtMaximumMonthendOutstanding
1341	Less: Prepaid commission	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentPrepaidExpenses
1342	Total long-term borrowings and debt, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AmountOfLongTermBorrowingsAndDebtAfterAdjustingPrepaidCommission
1343	Borrowings, interest rate	Concept (Percent)	As Of		ifrs-full:BorrowingsInterestRate
1344	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
1345	214 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt (Details 2)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebtDetails2
1346	Disclosure of borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfBorrowingsTable
1347	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1348	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1349	2018 Payments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearMember
1350	2019 Payments [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanTwoYearsMember
1351	2021 Payments [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanFourYearsMember
1352	2024 Payments [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanSixYearsMember
1353	2020 Payments [member]	Member			blx:LaterThanThreeYearseMember
1354	2022 Payments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1355	Disclosure of short term borrowings Terms [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfShortTermBorrowingsTermsLineItems
1356	long-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AmountOfLongTermBorrowingsAndDebtAfterAdjustingPrepaidCommission
1357	215 - Disclosure - Borrowings and debt (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BorrowingsAndDebtDetailsTextual
1358	Disclosure of borrowings [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfBorrowingsTable
1359	Debt Type Axis [Axis]	Axis			blx:DebtTypeAxisAxis
1360	Debt Type [Domain]	Member			blx:DebtTypeDomain
1361	Euro Medium Term Note Program [Member]	Member			blx:EuroMediumTermNoteProgramMember
1362	Certificados Bursatiles Program [Member]	Member			blx:CertificadosBursatilesProgramMember
1363	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1364	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1365	Later than one year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearMember
1366	Disclosure of short term borrowings [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfShortTermBorrowingsTermsLineItems
1367	Description Of Borrowings Terms	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfBorrowingsTerms
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1369	Current prepaid expenses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CurrentPrepaidExpenses
1370	216 - Disclosure - Other liabilities (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherLiabilitiesDetails
1371	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1372	Disclosure of other liabilities [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherLiabilitiesAbstract
1373	Accruals and other accumulated expenses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AccrualsAndOtherAccumulatedExpenses
1374	Accounts payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesToTradeSuppliers
1375	Others	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherPayables
1376	Other liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherLiabilities
1377	217 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails
1378	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1379	Disclosure of earnings per share [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareAbstract
1380	Profit for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
1381	Basic earnings per share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
1382	Diluted earnings per share	Concept (Share)	For Period		ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
1383	Weighted average common shares outstanding - applicable to basic	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
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1386	Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted EPS	Concept (Shares)	For Period		ifrs-full:AdjustedWeightedAverageShares
1387	218 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReservesDetails
1388	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestTable
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1393	Class E shares [Member]	Member			blx:ClassESharesMember
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1401	Exercised stock options - compensation plans	Concept (Shares)	For Period		blx:StockOptionsExercisedNumberOfShares
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1403	Ending Balance (in Shares)	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
1404	219 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReservesDetails1
1405	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestTable
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1411	Components of equity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
1412	Equity [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityMember
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1414	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestLineItems
1415	Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Equity
1416	Beginning Balance (in Shares)	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
1417	Repurchase of common stock	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReductionOfIssuedCapital
1418	Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)	Concept (Shares)	For Period		blx:NumberOfOrdinarySharesRepurchased
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1427	220 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves (Details 2)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReservesDetails2
1428	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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1431	Regulatory reserve	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:StatutoryReserve
1432	Reserve for credit risk coverage	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ReserveForCreditRiskCoverage
1433	221 - Disclosure - Capital and Reserves (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CapitalAndReservesDetailsTextual
1434	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1435	Disclosure of share capital, reserves and other equity interest [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfShareCapitalReservesAndOtherEquityInterestAbstract
1436	Description of minimum capital adequacy ratio	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfMinimumCapitalAdequacyRatio
1437	Description of primary capital requirement	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfPrimaryCapitalRequirement
1438	Description of total capital adequacy ratio	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfTotalCapitalAdequacyRatio
1439	Reserve for credit risk coverage	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ReserveForCreditRiskCoverage
1440	222 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansDetails
1441	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsTable
1442	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1443	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1444	Directors [Member]	Member			blx:DirectorsMember
1445	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1446	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1447	Restricted Stocks [Member]	Member			blx:RestrictedStocksMember
1448	Disclosure Of Sharebased Payment Arrangements [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsLineItems
1449	Number of Shares, Outstanding at Beginning	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1450	Number of Shares, Granted	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
1451	Number of Shares, Vested	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1452	Number of Shares, Outstanding at End	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1453	Number of Shares, Expected to vest	Concept (Shares)	As Of		blx:NumberOfRestrictedSharesExpectToVestInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1454	Weighted average grand date fair value Outstanding at beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1455	Weighted average grand date fair value, Granted	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1456	Weighted average grand date fair value, Vested	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1457	Weighted average grand date fair value, Outstanding at End	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1458	223 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansDetails1
1459	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsTable
1460	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1461	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1462	Key management personnel of entity or parent [member]	Member			ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelOfEntityOrParentMember
1463	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1464	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1465	Restricted Stocks [Member]	Member			blx:RestrictedStocksMember
1466	Disclosure Of Sharebased Payment Arrangements [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsLineItems
1467	Number of Shares, Outstanding at Beginning	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1468	Number of Shares, Granted	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
1469	Number of Shares, Forfeited	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1470	Number of Shares, Vested	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1471	Number of Shares, Outstanding at End	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1472	Number of Shares, Expected to vest	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisableInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1473	Weighted average grand date fair value Outstanding at beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1474	Weighted average grand date fair value, Granted	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1475	Weighted average grand date fair value, Forfeited	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1476	Weighted average grand date fair value, Vested	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1477	Weighted average grand date fair value, Outstanding at End	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1478	Weighted average remaining contractual term, Outstanding	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfOutstandingOtherEquityInstruments
1479	Weighted average grand date fair value, Expected to vest	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisableInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1480	Weighted average remaining contractual term, Expected to vest	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermotherEquityInstrumentsexpectedToVest
1481	Aggregate Intrinsic value, Outstanding	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:AggregateIntrinsicValueAtMeasurementDateOtherEquityInstrumentsoutstanding
1482	Aggregate Intrinsic value, Expected to vest	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:AggregateIntrinsicValueAtMeasurementDateOtherEquityInstrumentsexpectedToVest
1483	224 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details 2)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansDetails2
1484	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsTable
1485	Range [Axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1486	Ranges [member]	Member			ifrs-full:RangesMember
1487	Bottom of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1488	Top of range [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1489	Disclosure Of Sharebased Payment Arrangements [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsLineItems
1490	Weighted average fair value per option	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:WeightedAverageFairValueAtMeasurementDateShareOptionsGranted
1491	Weighted average expected term, in years	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfOptionLifeShareOptionsGranted
1492	Expected volatility	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExpectedVolatilityShareOptionsGranted
1493	Risk-free rate	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:DescriptionOfRiskFreeInterestRateShareOptionsGranted
1494	Expected dividend	Concept (Percent)	For Period		ifrs-full:ExpectedDividendAsPercentageShareOptionsGranted
1495	225 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details 3)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansDetails3
1496	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsTable
1497	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1498	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1499	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1500	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1501	Stock options [Member]	Member			blx:StockOptionsMember
1502	Disclosure Of Sharebased Payment Arrangements [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsLineItems
1503	Number of Share Options Outstanding at Beginning	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1504	Number of share options Granted	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1505	Number of share options Forfeited	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1506	Number of share options Exercised	Concept (Decimal)	For Period		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1507	Number of Share Options Outstanding at End	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
1508	Number of share options Exercisable	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfShareOptionsExercisableInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1509	Number of share options Expected to vest	Concept (Shares)	For Period		blx:NumberOfShareOptionsExpectedToVestInShareBasedPaymentArrangement
1510	Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at Beginning	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1511	Weighted average exercise price, Granted	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1512	Weighted average exercise price, Forfeited	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1513	Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1514	Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsExercisableInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1515	Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at End	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1516	Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable, Expected to vest	Concept (Share)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfExpectedToVestInShareBasedPaymentArrangement
1517	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Outstanding	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermOfOutstanding
1518	Weighted average remaining contractual term, Exercisable	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfExercisableShareOptions
1519	Weighted average remaining contractual term, Expected to vest	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfShareOptionsExpectedToVest
1520	Aggregate Intrinsic value, Outstanding at End	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ShareBasedArrangementIntrinsicValueOutstandingShareOptions
1521	Aggregate Intrinsic value, Exercisable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ShareBasedArrangementIntrinsicValueExercisableShareOptions
1522	Aggregate Intrinsic value, Expected to vest	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ShareBasedArrangementIntrinsicValueShareOptionsExpectedToVest
1523	226 - Disclosure - Cash and stock-based compensation plans (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CashAndStockbasedCompensationPlansDetailsTextual
1524	Disclosure of share-based payment arrangements [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsTable
1525	Classes of ordinary shares [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfOrdinarySharesAxis
1526	Ordinary shares [member]	Member			ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
1527	Class E shares [Member]	Member			blx:ClassESharesMember
1528	Categories of related parties [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1529	Entity's total for related parties [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1530	Key management personnel of entity or parent [member]	Member			ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelOfEntityOrParentMember
1531	Share-based payment arrangements, Vesting [Axis]	Axis			blx:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsVestingAxis
1532	Share-based payment arrangements, Vesting [Domain]	Member			blx:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsVestingDomain
1533	share-based payment arrangements, Tranche one [Member]	Member			blx:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsTrancheOneMember
1534	share-based payment arrangements, Tranche two [Member]	Member			blx:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsTrancheTwoMember
1535	share-based payment arrangements, Tranche three [Member]	Member			blx:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsTrancheThreeMember
1536	Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
1537	Share-based payment arrangements [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
1538	Restricted Stocks [Member]	Member			blx:RestrictedStocksMember
1539	Disclosure Of Sharebased Payment Arrangements [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsLineItems
1540	Fair value, Restricted shares granted	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:FairValueRestrictedSharesGranted
1541	Restricted shares, charged against income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:RestrictedSharesChargedAgainstIncome
1542	Restricted shares to Directors	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:RestrictedSharesToDirectors
1543	Cost pending amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:CostPendingAmortization
1544	Duration of amortisation of restricted cash	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:DurationOfAmortisationOfRestrictedCash
1545	Description of lapse of restriction on shares	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:DescriptionOfLapseOfRestrictionOnShares
1546	Vested shares, Fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:VestedSharesFairValue
1547	Value of granted restricted share options	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ValueOfGrantedRestrictedShareOptions
1548	Percentage of vesting of restricted share	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:PercentageOfVestingOfRestrictedShare
1549	Amortization cost, Restricted shares	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:AmortizationCostRestrictedShares
1550	Balance outstanding, Restricted shares	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:BalanceOutstandingRestrictedShares
1551	Weighted average fair value at measurement date, share options vested	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:WeightedAverageFairValueAtMeasurementDateShareOptionsVested
1552	Exercise rate of outstanding share options	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:ExerciseRateOfOutstandingShareOptions
1553	Amortisation cost charged against income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:AmortisationCostChargedAgainstIncome
1554	compensation cost pending amortization	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:CompensationCostPendingAmortization
1555	Period of amortisation	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:PeriodOfAmortisation
1556	Intrinsic value, exercised options	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:IntrinsicValueExercisedOptions
1557	Exercise price, share options granted	Concept (Monetary)	For Period		ifrs-full:ExercisePriceShareOptionsGranted
1558	Wages and salaries	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:WagesAndSalaries
1559	Number of shares issued	Concept (Shares)	As Of		ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssued
1560	Restricted Shares Amortization Over the Year	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:RestrictedSharesAmortizationOverTheYear
1561	Percent of award vesting rights for share-based payment arrangement	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:PercentOfAwardVestingRightsForSharebasedPaymentArrangement
1562	227 - Disclosure - Business segment information (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationDetails
1563	Disclosure of operating segment [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentTable
1564	Segments [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1565	Segments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1566	Commercial [Member]	Member			blx:CommercialMember
1567	Treasury [Member]	Member			blx:TreasuryMember
1568	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1569	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
1570	Held-to-maturity investments, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:HeldtomaturityInvestmentsCategoryMember
1571	Disclosure of operating segment [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentLineItems
1572	Interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:RevenueFromInterest
1573	Interest expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpense
1574	Net interest income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestRevenueExpense
1575	Net other income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherGainsLosses
1576	Total income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
1577	Impairment loss from expected credit losses on loans and impairment loss from expected credit losses on loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1578	Expenses, less impairment loss for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:ExpensesLessImpairmentLossFromExpectedCreditLosses
1579	Profit (loss) for the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
1580	Interest-earning assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:InterestearningAssets
1581	Other assets and loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:OtherAssetsAndLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1582	Total interest-earning assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:TotalInterestearningAssetsOtherAssetsAndLoanCommitmentsAndFinancialGuaranteeContracts
1583	228 - Disclosure - Business segment information (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationDetails1
1584	Disclosure of operating segment [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentTable
1585	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1586	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1587	Securities [Member]	Member			blx:SecuritiesMember
1588	Disclosure of operating segment [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentLineItems
1589	Interest-earning assets - business segment	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:InterestearningAssets
1590	Equity instruments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:EquityInstrumentsHeld
1591	Allowance for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1592	Customers� liabilities under acceptances	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndAdvancesToCustomers
1593	Intangibles, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1594	Accrued interest receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivable
1595	Property and equipment, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1596	Derivative financial instruments used for hedging - receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1597	Other Assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherAssets
1598	Total assets - consolidated financial statements	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1599	229 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails
1600	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1601	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1602	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1603	Corporate debt [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CorporateLoansMember
1604	Sovereign debt [Member]	Member			blx:SovereignDebtsMember
1605	Equity investments [member]	Member			ifrs-full:EquityInvestmentsMember
1606	Categories of financial liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
1607	Financial liabilities, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesCategoryMember
1608	Interest rate swaps [Member]	Member			blx:InterestRateSwapsMember
1609	Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]	Member			blx:CrosscurrencyInterestRateSwapsMember
1610	Foreign exchange forward [Member]	Member			us-gaap:ForeignExchangeForwardMember
1611	Measurement [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
1612	Aggregated measurement [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
1613	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
1614	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
1615	Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1616	Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level2OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1617	Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1618	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1619	Total securities at fair value through OCI	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
1620	Total derivative financial instrument used for hedging - receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1621	Total financial assets at fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValue
1622	Total financial instruments at FVTPL	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
1623	Total derivative financial instruments used for hedging - payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1624	Total financial liabilities at fair value	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValue
1625	230 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails1
1626	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1627	Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
1628	All levels of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
1629	Level 1 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1630	Level 2 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level2OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1631	Level 3 of fair value hierarchy [member]	Member			ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
1632	Measurement [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
1633	Aggregated measurement [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
1634	Not measured at fair value in statement of financial position but for which fair value is disclosed [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotMeasuredAtFairValueInStatementOfFinancialPositionButForWhichFairValueIsDisclosedMember
1635	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1636	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1637	Classes of financial liabilities [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
1638	Financial liabilities, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesMember
1639	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1640	Cash and cash equivalent	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1641	Acceptances	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndAdvancesToCustomers
1642	Interest receivable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestReceivable
1643	Securities at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCost
1644	Loans, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
1645	Deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DepositsFromCustomers
1646	Acceptances	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:AcceptancesOutstanding
1647	Interest payable	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestPayable
1648	Short-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
1649	Long-term borrowings and debt	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
1650	231 - Disclosure - Fair value of financial instruments (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetailsTextual
1651	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
1652	Classes of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1653	Financial assets, class [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1654	Securities [Member]	Member			blx:SecuritiesMember
1655	Disclosure of Fair value of financial instruments [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
1656	Allowance for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1657	Unearned interest and deferred fees	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:UnearnedInterestAndDeferredFees
1658	232 - Disclosure - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails
1659	Disclosure of Accumulated other comprehensive income loss [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomelossTable
1660	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1661	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
1662	Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeCategoryMember
1663	Derivative financial instruments [Member]	Member			blx:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
1664	Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]	Member			blx:ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentsMember
1665	Disclosure of Accumulated other comprehensive income loss [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomelossLineItems
1666	Beginning Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome
1667	Net unrealized gain (loss) arising from the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:UnrealizedGainLossOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
1668	Reclassification adjustment for (gains) loss included in the profit of the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
1669	Change in fair value for revaluation by debt instrument, net of hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesOnRevaluation
1670	Change in fair value for revaluation by equity instrument, net of hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxGainsLossesOnHedgingInstrumentsThatHedgeInvestmentsInEquityInstruments
1671	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationNetOfTax
1672	Exchange difference in conversion of foreign operating currency	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationNetOfTax
1673	Other comprehensive income (loss) from the year	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
1674	Ending Balance	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome
1675	233 - Disclosure - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails1
1676	Disclosure of Accumulated other comprehensive income loss [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomelossTable
1677	Categories of financial assets [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1678	Financial assets, category [member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
1679	Realized gains (losses) on financial instruments at FVOCI [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeCategoryMember
1680	Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments [Member]	Member			blx:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
1681	Disclosure of Accumulated other comprehensive income loss [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomelossLineItems
1682	Interest income - financial instruments at FVOCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestRevenueForFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
1683	Net gain on sale of financial instruments at FVOCI	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
1684	Derivative financial instruments and hedging	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnHedgesOfNetInvestmentsInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
1685	Realized gains (losses) on financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
1686	Interest income - loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:InterestIncomeForFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtAmortisedCost
1687	Interest expense - borrowings and deposits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnBorrowings
1688	Net gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:NetGainLossOnForeignCurrencyExchange
1689	Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:GainsLossesOnChangeInValueOfInterestRateSwapsNetOfTax
1690	Net gain (loss) on cross-currency interest rate swap	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:GainslossesOnChangeInValueOfGrossCurrencyInterestRateSwapNetOfTax
1691	234 - Disclosure - Related party transactions (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails
1692	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1693	Disclosure of related party [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyAbstract
1694	Compensation costs paid to directors	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:CompensationCostPaidToDirectors
1695	Compensation costs paid to executives	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:CompensationCostPaidToExecutives
1696	235 - Disclosure - Fees and commissions, net (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/FeesAndCommissionsNetDetails
1697	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1698	Disclosure Of Fees And Commissions [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFeesAndCommissionsAbstract
1699	Commission income - Loans & commitments, net	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:PortfolioAndOtherManagementFeeIncome
1700	Commission income - Letters of credit	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:CreditrelatedFeeAndCommissionIncome
1701	Commission income - Arrangements	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherFeeAndCommissionIncome
1702	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:FeeAndCommissionIncomeExpense
1703	236 - Disclosure - Net gain or (loss) on financial instruments at FVTPL (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/NetGainOrLossOnFinancialInstrumentsAtFvtplDetails
1704	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1705	Disclosure of financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossAbstract
1706	Net (loss) gain on financial instruments at FVTPL	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossDesignatedAsUponInitialRecognition
1707	Net (loss) gain on investment funds	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossClassifiedAsHeldForTrading
1708	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnFinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLoss
1709	237 - Disclosure - Salaries and other employee expenses (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SalariesAndOtherEmployeeExpensesDetails
1710	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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1712	Wages and salaries	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:WagesAndSalaries
1713	Payroll Taxes	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:PayrollTaxes
1714	Personnel benefits	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherShorttermEmployeeBenefits
1715	Share-based payments	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherEmployeeExpense
1716	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:EmployeeBenefitsExpense
1717	238 - Disclosure - Other expenses (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/OtherExpensesDetails
1718	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1719	Disclosure of other operating expense [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfOtherOperatingExpenseAbstract
1720	Advertising and marketing	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:SalesAndMarketingExpense
1721	Regulatory Fees	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:RegulatoryFees
1722	Rental - office and equipment	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RentalExpense
1723	Administrative	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:AdministrativeExpense
1724	Professional services	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:ProfessionalFeesExpense
1725	Maintenance and repairs	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:RepairsAndMaintenanceExpense
1726	Other	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	us-gaap:OtherExpenses
1727	Total	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherExpenseByNature
1728	239 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails
1729	Disclosure of Commitments and contingencies [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesTable
1730	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1731	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1732	Within 1 year	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1733	After 1 year but not more than 5 years	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1734	More than 5 years	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1735	Disclosure of Commitments and contingencies [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
1736	Minimum lease payments payable under cancellable operating lease	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderCancellableOperatingLease
1737	240 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails1
1738	Disclosure of Commitments and contingencies [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesTable
1739	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1740	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1741	Within 1 year	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1742	After 1 year but not more than 5 years	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1743	Disclosure of Commitments and contingencies [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
1744	Minimum lease payments receivable under cancellable operating lease	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:MinimumLeasePaymentsReceivableUnderCancellableOperatingLease
1745	241 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsTextual
1746	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
1747	Disclosure of commitments and contingent liabilities [Abstract]	Abstract			blx:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
1748	Minimum operating lease payments recognised as expense	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	ifrs-full:MinimumOperatingLeasePayments
1749	Operating lease income	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	ifrs-full:OperatingLeaseIncome
1750	242 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails
1751	Statement of financial risk management [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:StatementOfFinancialRiskManagementTable
1752	Geographical areas [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1753	Geographical areas [member]	Member			ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1754	United States of America [Member]	Member			blx:UnitedStatesOfAmericaMember
1755	Other O.E.C.D. [Member]	Member			blx:OtherOECDMember
1756	Multilateral [Member]	Member			blx:MultilateralMember
1757	Latin America [Member]	Member			us-gaap:LatinAmericaMember
1758	Statement of financial risk management [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:StatementOfFInancialRiskManagementLineItems
1759	Financial assets held for managing liquidity risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsHeldForManagingLiquidityRisk
1760	243 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details 1)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails1
1761	Statement of financial risk management [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:StatementOfFinancialRiskManagementTable
1762	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1763	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1764	Up to 3 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanThreeMonthsMember
1765	3 to 6 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanSixMonthsMember
1766	6 months to 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanSixMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYearMember
1767	1 to 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1768	More than 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1769	Without Maturity [Member]	Member			blx:WithoutMaturityMember
1770	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1771	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1772	Liquidity risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LiquidityRiskMember
1773	Statement of financial risk management [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:StatementOfFInancialRiskManagementLineItems
1774	Assets [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
1775	Cash and cash equivalent	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1776	Investment securities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1777	Equity investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:EquityInstrumentsHeld
1778	Loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:LoansAndReceivablesGross
1779	Unearned interest and deferred fees	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:UnearnedInterestAndDeferredFees
1780	Allowance for expected credit losses	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1781	Other assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherNonfinancialAssets
1782	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1783	Liabilities [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
1784	Deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:CurrentDepositsFromCustomers
1785	Other liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherNonfinancialLiabilities
1786	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
1787	Confirmed letters of credit	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:ConfirmedLettersOfCredit
1788	Stand-by letters of credit and guaranteed - Commercial risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:StandByLettersOfCreditAndGuaranteedCommercialRisk
1789	Credit commitments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	blx:CreditCommitments
1790	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:GrossLoanCommitments
1791	Net position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1792	244 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details 2)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails2
1793	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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1795	Change in interest rate, Increase	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:SensitivityAnalysisDecrepitationOfIncreaseInBasisPoints
1796	Change in interest rate, Decrease	Concept (Text/String)	For Period		blx:SensitivityAnalysisDecrepitationOfDecreaseInBasisPoints
1797	Effect on income, Increase	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Credit	blx:SensitivityAnalysisIncreasedEffectOnIncome
1798	Effect on income,Decrease	Concept (Monetary)	For Period	Debit	blx:SensitivityAnalysisDecreasedEffectOnIncome
1799	245 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details 3)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails3
1800	Statement 0f market risk explanatory [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:Statement0fMarketRiskExplanatoryTable
1801	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
1802	Risks [member]	Member			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
1803	Interest Rate Risk [Member]	Member			ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
1804	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1805	Aggregated time bands [member]	Member			ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1806	Up to 3 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:NotLaterThanThreeMonthsMember
1807	3 to 6 months [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeMonthsAndNotLaterThanSixMonthsMember
1808	6 months to 1 year [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanSixMonthsAndNotLaterThanOneYearMember
1809	1 to 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1810	More than 5 years [member]	Member			ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1811	Statement of market risk explanatory [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:StatementOfMarketRiskExplanatoryLineItems
1812	Assets	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAbstract
1813	Investments securities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:InvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1814	Equity investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:EquityInstrumentsHeld
1815	Time deposit	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LongtermDeposits
1816	Securities and other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherFinancialAssets
1817	Loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
1818	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
1819	Liabilities	Abstract			ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
1820	Deposits	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:DepositsFromCustomers
1821	Short and long term borrowings and debt, net	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
1822	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilities
1823	Total interest rate sensibility	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	blx:FinancialAssetsLiabilities
1824	246 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details 4)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails4
1825	Statement of financial risk management [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:StatementOfFinancialRiskManagementTable
1826	Types of risks [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
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1828	Currency risk [member]	Member			ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
1829	Types of currencies [Axis]	Axis			blx:TypesOfCurrenciesAxis
1830	Types of currencies [Domain]	Member			blx:TypesOfCurrenciesDomain
1831	Brazilian Real [Member]	Member			blx:BrazilianRealMember
1832	European Euro [Member]	Member			blx:EuropeanEuroMember
1833	Japanese Yen [Member]	Member			blx:JapaneseYenMember
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1835	Mexican Peso [Member]	Member			blx:MexicanPesoMember
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1837	Statement of financial risk management [Line Items]	LineItems			blx:StatementOfFInancialRiskManagementLineItems
1838	Exchange rate	Concept (Decimal)	As Of		ifrs-full:ClosingForeignExchangeRate
1839	Assets [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
1840	Cash and cash equivalent	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1841	Equity investments	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:EquityInstrumentsHeld
1842	Investments and other financial assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of		ifrs-full:FinancialInstrumentsDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAtFairValue
1843	Loans at amortized cost	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivables
1844	Other Assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:OtherAssets
1845	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:Assets
1846	Liabilities [abstract]	Abstract			ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
1847	Borrowings and deposit placements	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Borrowings
1848	Other Liabilities	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:OtherLiabilities
1849	Total	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Credit	ifrs-full:Liabilities
1850	Net currency position	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1851	247 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details 5)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetails5
1852	Implied Table	Table	*	*	implied:Table
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1855	Risk weighted assets	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	us-gaap:RiskWeightedAssets
1856	Tier 1 capital ratio	Concept (Percent)	For Period		blx:Tier1CapitalRatio
1857	248 - Disclosure - Risk management (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/RiskManagementDetailsTextual
1858	Statement of financial risk management [Table]	Table	*	*	blx:StatementOfFinancialRiskManagementTable
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1863	Demand and Call Deposits [Member]	Member			blx:DemandAndCallDepositsMember
1864	Maturity [axis]	Axis			ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
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1876	Financial assets held for managing liquidity risk	Concept (Monetary)	As Of	Debit	ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsHeldForManagingLiquidityRisk
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1880	Loans and advances to customers,maruity term	Concept (xbrli:durationItemType)	For Period		blx:LoansAndAdvancesToCustomersmaruityTerm
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1885	249 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details Textual)	Network	*	*	http://www.bladex.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetailsTextual
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