Income taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	$ 541,364,000		$ 541,364,000		$ 520,096,000
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	677,053,000		677,053,000		851,592,000
Net deferred tax asset	676,184,000		676,184,000		850,695,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest	2,600,000		2,600,000		4,800,000
Recognized Tax Benefits Current Interest On Income Taxes Accrued			810,000	$ 1,600,000
Accrual for the payment of penalties	0		0		0
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, that if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	5,400,000		5,400,000		10,200,000
Anticipated reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months	1,400,000		1,400,000
Income tax expense	83,542,000	$ 41,168,000	233,466,000	68,893,000
Interest Expense Reduction Due To Expiration Of The Statue Of Limitations			2,900,000	645,000
Other assets
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	700,000,000		700,000,000		900,000,000
Other liabilities
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax liabilities	869,000		869,000		897,000
Popular, Inc Holding Co
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	124,000,000		124,000,000
PR
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	124,351,000		124,351,000		112,871,000
Net deferred tax asset	418,106,000		418,106,000		549,290,000
Income tax expense	83,542,000	$ 41,168,000	233,466,000	$ 68,893,000
US
Income Taxes
Valuation allowance	417,013,000		417,013,000		407,225,000
Net deferred tax asset	258,078,000		258,078,000		$ 301,405,000
Deferred Tax Assets	$ 675,000,000		$ 675,000,000