<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.26.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>236</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>263</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>74</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Cover</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/Cover</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952151 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952152 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952153 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952154 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952155 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952156 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952157 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952158 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/BasisofPresentationandAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952159 - Disclosure - Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CollaborationLicenseandOtherArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952160 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952161 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952162 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952163 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952164 - Disclosure - Hedging</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/Hedging</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952165 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952166 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952167 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseandShareRepurchasePrograms</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952168 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952169 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952170 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952171 - Disclosure - Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AdditionalBalanceSheetCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995445 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955511 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/BasisofPresentationandAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/BasisofPresentationandAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955512 - Disclosure - Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CollaborationLicenseandOtherArrangementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CollaborationLicenseandOtherArrangements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955513 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955514 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955515 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955516 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955517 - Disclosure - Hedging (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/Hedging</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955518 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955519 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955520 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseandShareRepurchaseProgramsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseandShareRepurchasePrograms</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955521 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955522 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955523 - Disclosure - Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AdditionalBalanceSheetCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AdditionalBalanceSheetCashFlowInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955524 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/BasisofPresentationandAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/BasisofPresentationandAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955525 - Disclosure - Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements -Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CollaborationLicenseandOtherArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements -Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955526 - Disclosure - Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Credits Recognized in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CollaborationLicenseandOtherArrangementsScheduleofCreditsRecognizedinCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration, License and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Credits Recognized in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955527 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleofComputationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955528 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Subject to Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesSubjecttoFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Subject to Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955529 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955530 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Our Contingent Consideration Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsScheduleofFairValueofOurContingentConsiderationLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Our Contingent Consideration Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955531 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Schedule of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsScheduleofCashEquivalentsandMarketableSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Schedule of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955532 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesatFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955533 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesbyContractualMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955534 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955535 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesandEquityInvestmentsNetUnrealizedGainsLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities and Equity Investments - Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955536 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955537 - Disclosure - Hedging - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955538 - Disclosure - Hedging - Notional Amount (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingNotionalAmountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging - Notional Amount (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955539 - Disclosure - Hedging - Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingCashFlowHedgingInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging - Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955540 - Disclosure - Hedging - Derivative Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingDerivativeFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging - Derivative Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955541 - Disclosure - Hedging - Offsetting Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/HedgingOffsettingDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Hedging - Offsetting Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955542 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.vrtx.com/role/InventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955543 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Schedule of Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IntangibleAssetsScheduleofOtherIntangibleAssetsNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Schedule of Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955544 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955545 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseandShareRepurchaseProgramsStockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955546 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseandShareRepurchaseProgramsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Expense and Share Repurchase Programs - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955547 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax rates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleofProvisionforIncomeTaxesandEffectiveTaxratesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax rates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955548 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955549 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955550 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Matters and Other Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesLegalMattersandOtherContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Matters and Other Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955551 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Revenues by Product (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuesbyProductDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Revenues by Product (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955552 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofRevenuebyGeographicLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Location (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955553 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955554 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Significant Segment Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofSignificantSegmentExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Significant Segment Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955555 - Disclosure - Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AdditionalBalanceSheetCashFlowInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="vrtx-20260331.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955556 - Disclosure - Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information - Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vrtx.com/role/AdditionalBalanceSheetCashFlowInformationScheduleofCashCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Additional Balance Sheet &amp; Cash Flow Information - Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="vrtx-20260331.htm">vrtx-20260331.htm</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331.xsd</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_def.xml</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_g1.gif</File>
    <File>vrtx-20260331_g2.gif</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="2">http://fasb.org/srt/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="755">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="29">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="4">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
