Note 14 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Note 14 - Subsequent Events (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment to the Revised Loan Agreement [Member] \| PNC Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility Reduction, Additional Reduction		$ 750,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase in Remaining Borrowing Capacity		2,701,000
Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member] \| Standby Letter of Credit for New Bonding Mechanism [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount		2,500,000
Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member] \| American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Release of the Sinking Fund Related to Second the Insurance Policy	$ 5,951,000
Release of Sinking Fund Related to Second Insurance Policy, Additional Interest Earned	$ 2,000
Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member] \| American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Sinking Fund Related to Second Insurance Policy		$ 5,949,000	$ 5,941,000