Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 4,497,999	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to VIEs	84,544	6,024
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	217,155	168,958
Net investments in direct financing leases	880,000	363,420
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	214,971	117,519
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	966,406	467,127
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	570,498	241,975
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	346,853	136,433
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,823,415	1,492,410
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	180,364	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	298,432	166,385
Deferred income taxes attributable to consolidated VIEs	87,991	39,040
W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	100,424,204	69,299,949
Common stock, shares outstanding	99,379,788	68,266,570
Preferred stock, par share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Treasury stock, shares	1,044,416	1,033,379
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	250,240	78,782
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to VIEs	38,714	0
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	21,806	18,238
Net investments in direct financing leases	64,716	18,089
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,216	37
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	30,004	3,385
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	14,738	2,544
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	21,144	4,246
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	150,915	29,042
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	10,656	3,481
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	6,676	2,988
Deferred income taxes attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 838	$ 0