Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 02, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000097745
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 83,322,432
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		399,003,681
Entity Stock Trading Symbol	TMO