v3.10.0.1
Equity - Equity Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests (Details) - EUR (€)
€ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance € 9,698    
Profit/(loss) for the year 619 € 246 € 30
Change in translation differences (799) (328) (24)
Other movements 1 2 54
Ending balance 9,033 9,698  
Telefónica Brazil      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 5,018 5,756 4,644
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 0 25 0
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 0 0 0
Dividends paid (406) (320) (232)
Profit/(loss) for the year 556 336 257
Change in translation differences (550) (772) 1,099
Other movements (14) (7) (12)
Ending balance 4,604 5,018 5,756
Telefónica Deutschland Holding, A.G.      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 3,114 4,150 4,638
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 0 0 0
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 0 (671) 0
Dividends paid (238) (229) (263)
Profit/(loss) for the year (88) (140) (217)
Change in translation differences 0 0 0
Other movements 85 4 (8)
Ending balance 2,873 3,114 4,150
Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A., ESP      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 523 (88) (30)
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 0 605 0
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 0 0 0
Dividends paid 0 0 0
Profit/(loss) for the year 41 26 (32)
Change in translation differences (19) (4) (7)
Other movements (22) (16) (19)
Ending balance 523 523 (88)
Telefónica Centroamericana Inversiones, S.L.      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 307 354 354
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 0 0 0
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 0 0 0
Dividends paid (28) (22) (28)
Profit/(loss) for the year 30 18 19
Change in translation differences 7 (43) 8
Other movements 0 0 1
Ending balance 316 307 354
Telxius Telecom, S.A.      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 694 0  
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 139 690  
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 0 0  
Dividends paid (231) 0  
Profit/(loss) for the year 80 7  
Change in translation differences 5 (3)  
Other movements (10) 0  
Ending balance 677 694 0
Other      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 42 56 59
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 0 0 1
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 1 0 (8)
Dividends paid (3) (12) (1)
Profit/(loss) for the year 0 (1) 3
Change in translation differences (1) (2) 3
Other movements 1 1 (1)
Ending balance 40 42 56
Telefonica, S.A.      
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]      
Beginning balance 9,698 10,228 9,665
Sales of non-controlling interests and inclusion of companies 139 1,320 1
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests and exclusion of companies 1 (671) (8)
Dividends paid (906) (583) (524)
Profit/(loss) for the year 619 246 30
Change in translation differences (558) (824) 1,103
Other movements 40 (18) (39)
Ending balance € 9,033 € 9,698 € 10,228