Legal and Regulatory Matters	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal and Regulatory Matters	Legal and Regulatory Matters Laureate is subject to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, we have adequate legal defenses, insurance coverage, and/or accrued liabilities with respect to the eventuality of these actions. Management believes that any settlement would not have a material impact on Laureate's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. For further description, see our 2016 Form 10-K. Discussed below are those matters that had material developments during the first quarter of 2017. Turkish Regulation - Bilgi Annual Audit The Company previously disclosed in its 2016 Form 10-K that the Turkish Higher Education Council (the YÖK), which regulates Istanbul Bilgi University (Bilgi), a member of the Laureate International Universities network located in Istanbul, Turkey, was conducting its annual audit of Bilgi’s operations (the Annual Audit). On April 18, 2017, Bilgi received from the YÖK the results of the Annual Audit. The Annual Audit report requires, among other things, that (i) with respect to the 2017-2018 academic year, there be a reduction in the quota for the number of new students permitted to be admitted into Bilgi’s degree programs and (ii) Bilgi be reimbursed approximately $29,000 for payments previously made by Bilgi to a subsidiary of the Company for certain management, operational and student services, and intellectual property. The Company and Bilgi believe the charges to Bilgi for these services were at fair value and Bilgi intends to contest the findings of the Annual Audit that they constituted an improper wealth transfer. Demands also are made in the Annual Audit for the return or payment to Bilgi of other amounts involving approximately $8,000. The Company believes that Bilgi is in compliance with all laws and regulations. Bilgi has a right to appeal and intends to appeal this decision and to demonstrate the validity and value of the services procured from the Company subsidiary. However, as the Company currently consolidates Bilgi under the variable interest entity model, if the Company is unable to provide services under its contracts with Bilgi and receive the economic benefits from those contracts as a result of the determinations in the Annual Audit, deconsolidation of Bilgi could be required. Deconsolidation, if required, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including possible write-off of all or a portion of the Company’s investment in Bilgi and a reduction in operating income. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Bilgi had total assets of approximately $95,000 and $83,000, respectively, and total liabilities of $71,000 and $63,000, respectively. Total liabilities include approximately $23,000 and $19,000 of net intercompany liabilities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. During fiscal year 2016, Bilgi generated approximately $106,000 of the Company’s consolidated revenue and approximately $26,000 of the Company’s consolidated operating income and incurred approximately $6,000 of depreciation and amortization expense.

Legal and Regulatory Matters

Laureate is subject to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, we have adequate legal defenses, insurance coverage, and/or accrued liabilities with respect to the eventuality of these actions. Management believes that any settlement would not have a material impact on Laureate's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. For further description, see our 2016 Form 10-K. Discussed below are those matters that had material developments during the first quarter of 2017.

Turkish Regulation - Bilgi Annual Audit

The Company previously disclosed in its 2016 Form 10-K that the Turkish Higher Education Council (the YÖK), which regulates Istanbul Bilgi University (Bilgi), a member of the Laureate International Universities network located in Istanbul, Turkey, was conducting its annual audit of Bilgi’s operations (the Annual Audit). On April 18, 2017, Bilgi received from the YÖK the results of the Annual Audit. The Annual Audit report requires, among other things, that (i) with respect to the 2017-2018 academic year, there be a reduction in the quota for the number of new students permitted to be admitted into Bilgi’s degree programs and (ii) Bilgi be reimbursed approximately $29,000 for payments previously made by Bilgi to a subsidiary of the Company for certain management, operational and student services, and intellectual property. The Company and Bilgi believe the charges to Bilgi for these services were at fair value and Bilgi intends to contest the findings of the Annual Audit that they constituted an improper wealth transfer. Demands also are made in the Annual Audit for the return or payment to Bilgi of other amounts involving approximately $8,000.

The Company believes that Bilgi is in compliance with all laws and regulations. Bilgi has a right to appeal and intends to appeal this decision and to demonstrate the validity and value of the services procured from the Company subsidiary. However, as the Company currently consolidates Bilgi under the variable interest entity model, if the Company is unable to provide services under its contracts with Bilgi and receive the economic benefits from those contracts as a result of the determinations in the Annual Audit, deconsolidation of Bilgi could be required. Deconsolidation, if required, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including possible write-off of all or a portion of the Company’s investment in Bilgi and a reduction in operating income. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Bilgi had total assets of approximately $95,000 and $83,000, respectively, and total liabilities of $71,000 and $63,000, respectively. Total liabilities include approximately $23,000 and $19,000 of net intercompany liabilities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. During fiscal year 2016, Bilgi generated approximately $106,000 of the Company’s consolidated revenue and approximately $26,000 of the Company’s consolidated operating income and incurred approximately $6,000 of depreciation and amortization expense.