Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35961
Entity Registrant Name	Liberty Global plc
Entity Central Index Key	0001570585
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	X0
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1112770
Entity Address, Address Line One	Griffin House
Entity Address, Address Line Two	161 Hammersmith Rd
Entity Address, City or Town	London
Entity Address, Country	GB
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	W6 8BS
Country Region	44
City Area Code	208
Local Phone Number	483.6449
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Class A
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A ordinary shares
Trading Symbol	LBTYA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		181,521,915
Class B
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B ordinary shares
Trading Symbol	LBTYB
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,151,526
Class C
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class C ordinary shares
Trading Symbol	LBTYK
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		438,781,205