Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 shares
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	EURO TECH HOLDINGS CO LTD
Entity Central Index Key	0001026662
Document Type	20-F
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Shell Company Report	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current?	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	D8
Entity File Number	000-22113
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,092,859
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019