| Document and Entity Information Document | Apr. 15, 2020 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Apr. 15, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V. |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | P7 |
| Entity File Number | 001-34726 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 98-0646235 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Ordinary Shares, €0.04 Par Value |
| Trading Symbol | LYB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001489393 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1221 McKinney St., |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 300 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Houston, |
| Entity Address, State or Province | TX |
| Entity Address, Country | US |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 77010 |
| City Area Code | (713) |
| Local Phone Number | 309-7200 |
| United Kingdom [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 4th Floor, One Vine Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | London |
| Entity Address, Country | GB |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | W1J0AH |
| Country Region | +44 (0) |
| City Area Code | 207 |
| Local Phone Number | 220 2600 |
| Netherlands [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | Delftseplein 27E |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Rotterdam |
| Entity Address, Country | NL |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 3013AA |
| Country Region | +31 (0) |
| City Area Code | 10 |
| Local Phone Number | 2755 500 |
