v3.5.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Oct. 27, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name Liberty Global plc  
Entity Central Index Key 0001570585  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Amendment Flag false  
Liberty Global Group [Member] | Common Class A [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   256,854,989
Liberty Global Group [Member] | Common Class B [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   10,805,850
Liberty Global Group [Member] | Common Class C [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   638,673,677
LiLAC Group [Member] | Common Class A [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   51,037,232
LiLAC Group [Member] | Common Class B [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,888,323
LiLAC Group [Member] | Common Class C [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   121,221,345