Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2007	Feb. 28, 2002	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2002	Sep. 19, 2008 Trust	Dec. 05, 2002
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Settlement agreement pre-tax charge					$ 850
Charge covering a cash payment that will be required to make under settlement agreement upon the effectiveness of an appropriate plan of reorganization					513
Percentage of annual interest that accrues on settlement agreement charges from December 31 2002 to the date of payment				5.50%
Accrued interest compounded annually included in settlement agreement and related accrued interest			342	319
Non cash charges at fair value market					322
Number of shares of company's common stock that is charged and expected to be issued under Settlement agreement upon the effectiveness of an appropriate plan of reorganization				18,000,000
Adjustment of company's common stock that is charged and expected to be issued under settlement agreement	9,000,000
Issue of adjusted common stock under the settlement agreement	18,000,000		18,000,000	18,000,000
Amount per common share pre split							$ 35.72
Amount per common share post split							$ 17.86
Par value of common stock reserved for issuance related to the settlement agreement					0.9
Excess of the aggregate fair value market over aggregated par value of common shares.					321
Legal and related fees related to Settlement agreement					16
Establishment of asbestos trust under section 524(g)						2
Voting declaration with respect to the PI Settlement Plan			According to the Voting Declaration, with respect to each class of claims designated as impaired by Grace, the PI Settlement Plan has been approved by holders of at least two-thirds in amount and more than one-half in number (or for classes voting for purposes of Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code, at least 75% in number) of voted claims
Percentage of Holders Approving PI Settlement Plan Under Bankruptcy Code			75.00%
Charges accrued by Fresenius for potential liabilities		$ 172