Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Noncurrent [Text Block] Other Non-Current Liabilities Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable (Note 13) Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Non-current income taxes payable (Note 13) Accrued Utilities, Current Facility related liabilities Accumulated Amortization, Capital Government Grants Accumulated Amortization, Capital Government Grants Less accumulated amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and asset write offs Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Unrealized capital (loss)/gain - investments (note 3) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Currency Impact on Long Term Funding, Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Currency Impact on Long Term Funding, Net of Tax Currency impact on long term funding (Net of tax) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Realized gain on interest rate hedge Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Total Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plan (note 9) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Currency translation adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 19) Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] Aptiv Intangible Asset Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Share based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Issued, Issuance Costs Share issue costs Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Excess tax benefit on exercise of equity compensation Tax benefit on exercise of options Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net [Abstract] Impact on shareholders equity and other comprehensive income of the tax consequence of : Adjustment to Retained Earning Share Repurchase costs Adjustment to Retained Earning Share Repurchase costs Share repurchase costs Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Advertising Costs Agreement Term Agreement Term Term of agreement Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Translation Allowance for doubtful accounts amounts released during the year. Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Other Amounts released during the year Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Provisions Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Provisions Amounts provided during the year Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Closing provision Opening provision Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Write-offs Amounts used during the year Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Table Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Table Text Block] Provision for Doubtful Debts Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Text Block] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Text Block] Provision for Doubtful Debts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Gain On Interest Rate Hedge Amortization Of Gain On Interest Rate Hedge Amortization of gain on interest rate hedge Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangibles Aptiv Solutions [Member] Aptiv Solutions [Member] Aptiv Solutions Asset Impairment Charges Impairment charge Asset Impairment [Member] Asset Impairment [Member] Asset Impairment Assets Assets Total Assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other Assets: Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Current At end of year At start of year Short term investments - available for sale (Note 3) Available For Sale Securities, Debt Securities Current, Additions Available For Sale Securities, Debt Securities Current, Additions Additions Available For Sale Securities, Debt Securities Current, Disposals Available For Sale Securities, Debt Securities Current, Disposals Disposals Available For Sale Securities Disclosure Available For Sale Securities Disclosure [Text Block] Short term investments - available for sale Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unrealized capital (loss)/gain - investments Award Type [Axis] Award Type Backlog [Member] Backlog [Member] Backlog Awards Basis Point Increase In Pension And Postretirement Benefits Discount Rate Basis Point Increase In Pension And Postretirement Benefits Discount Rate Basis point increase in benefits obligation discount rate BeijingWits Medical Limited [Member] BeijingWits Medical Limited [Member] BeijingWits Medical Building [Member] Building Buildings and Improvements, Gross Building Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Percentage of common stock acquired Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings per share Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings per share Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Proforma Effect in Net Revenue Net Income and Earnings Per Share The working capital adjustment was received in October 2013 however it relates to the purchase of Cross Country Healthcare Inc on 15 February 2013, and is disclosed as part of net assets acquired on this date. Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Adjustment To Working Capital Working capital adjustment Working capital adjustment Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net income Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Net revenue Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Cash consideration Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Gross Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Gross Gross cash outflows Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Other liabilities assumed Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability Adjustments to cash consideration Adjustments to cash consideration Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred Cash consideration, net of working capital adjustment Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Cash Cash and cash equivalents Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepayments and other current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables Accounts receivable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Accounts payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Other liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred tax liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Intangible asset Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Loan notes payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other Non-current other liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets Non-current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Payments on Account Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Payments on Account Payments on account Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Unbilled Revenue Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Unbilled Revenue Unbilled revenue Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net Net assets acquired/Net purchase consideration Net assets acquired Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Business Combinations Buyback Program [Member] Buyback Program [Member] Buyback Program Capital Government Grants Current Capital Government Grants Current Less current portion Noncurrent capital government grants, which are amortized and recognized in earnings over the grant period. Capital Government Grants Noncurrent Non-current government grants Non-current government grants (Note 11) Capitalized Computer Software, Gross Computer equipment and software Capital Redemption Reserve Capital Redemption Reserve Capital redemption reserve (Note 12 (a)) Capital Redemption Reserve Capital Redemption Reserve [Member] Capital Redemption Reserve Cash Acquired from Acquisition Cash acquired with subsidiary undertaking Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information Cash [Member] Cash SWITZERLAND SWITZERLAND Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Clinical trial services [Member] Clinical trial services [Member] Clinical Trial Services of Cross Country Healthcare Inc. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock [Member] Ordinary Shares Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Ordinary shares, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Ordinary shares, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Ordinary shares, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Ordinary shares, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, (Note 12) 54,958,912 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 60,106,780 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014. Common Stock, Voting Rights Share allotment description Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Direct Costs Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Table] Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Table] Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Table] Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive Income: Computer Equipment and Capitalized Software [Member] Computer Equipment and Capitalized Software [Member] Computer equipment and software Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk, Percentage Clients which represented 10% or more of the company's net revenue Percentage of company revenue Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation Contracts Revenue Gross revenue Corporate Bonds [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Corporate Bond Securities Cost of Goods and Services Sold Direct costs Cost of Reimbursable Expense Reimbursable expenses Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Costs and expenses: Cost of Sales [Member] Direct costs Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current tax expense Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current tax expense: Customer A [Member] Customer A [Member] Client A Customer B [Member] Customer B [Member] Client B Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Lists [Member] Customer Lists Customer Relationships [Member] Customer Relationships Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt instrument, interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument, Term Debt instrument, term Debt Securities [Member] Bonds Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax expense/(benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Change In Valuation Allowance Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Change In Valuation Allowance Deferred tax expense/(benefit) resulted from valuation allowance release Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred expense/(benefit): Deferred Items Grants From Outside Parties Deferred Items Grants From Outside Parties Received Deferred Revenue and Credits Total government grants Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Short term government grants (note 11) Deferred Revenue, Current Payments on account Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract] Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract] Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net Overall net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Deferred tax assets recognized Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred tax asset (Note 13) Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Non-current deferred tax asset (Note 13) Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss And Tax Credits Carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss And Tax Credits Carryforwards Operating loss and tax credits carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Not Subject to Expiration Non-U.S subsidiaries operating loss carryforwards for income tax Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration Additional operating loss carryforward Net operating loss carryforward Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax Alternative minimum tax credit carry forwards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, General Business Business credit carry forwards that are available to offset Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carry Forwards Not Subject To Expiration Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carry Forwards Not Subject To Expiration Non-U.S subsidiaries tax credit carryforwards for income tax Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits Deferred compensation expense Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Other Stock compensation Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Other Other Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and payments on account Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Total deferred tax liabilities recognized Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current Deferred tax liability (Note 13) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill Goodwill Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Non-current deferred tax liability (Note 13) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Finite-Lived Assets Other intangible assets Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities Total pension liability Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Defined benefit pension obligations, net (note 9) Non-current pension liability Defined Benefit Pension Plan Settlement Loss Defined Benefit Pension Plan Settlement Loss Settlement loss Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net Gains (Losses), after Tax Net actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Actuarial (gain)/loss Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Losses to be Amortized and Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Net Pension Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Losses to be Amortized and Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Net Pension Cost Actuarial (gain)/loss - benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Amortization of net loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet Non-current other liabilities (note 8) Non-current other liabilities (note 8) Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase Rate of compensation increase Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Discount rate