Merger with CPA®:16 – Global (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global	Mar. 31, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global	Jan. 31, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global	Jun. 30, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global Measurement period adjustment	Jun. 30, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global Measurement period adjustment	Jun. 30, 2014 Jointly Owned Investments CPA: 16 - Global	Mar. 31, 2014 Jointly Owned Investments CPA: 16 - Global	Jan. 31, 2014 Jointly Owned Investments CPA: 16 - Global
Total Consideration
Fair value of W.P.Carey shares of common stock issued				$ 1,815,521	$ 1,815,521	$ 1,815,521
Cash consideration for fractional shares	1,338	0		1,338	1,338	1,338
Merger consideration				1,816,859	1,816,859	1,800,000
Fair value of W. P. Carey & Co. LLC equity interest in jointly-owned investments with CPA:16 prior to the CPA:16 Merger				348,448	347,164	348,448	1,284		172,720	172,720	172,720
Fair value of noncontrolling interests acquired				(278,187)	(278,829)	(278,187)	642	642
Total Consideration				2,059,840	2,057,914	2,059,840		1,926
Assets Acquired at Fair Value
Net investments in properties	4,365,388		2,353,391	1,970,175	1,969,274	1,970,175	901	901
Net investments in direct financing leases	880,000		363,420	538,225	538,607	538,225	(382)	(382)
Equity investments in real estate	211,225		530,020	74,367	74,367	74,367
Assets held for sale	0		86,823	133,415	132,951	133,415	464	464
In-place lease, net	966,406		467,127	553,723	553,479	553,723	244	244
Above-market rent	570,498		241,975	395,824	395,663	395,824	161	161
Cash and cash equivalents				65,429	65,429	65,429
Other assets				82,032	82,032	82,032
Assets Acquired at Fair value				3,813,190	3,811,802		1,388	1,388
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value
Non-recourse debt	(2,823,415)		(1,492,410)	(1,768,288)	(1,768,288)	(1,768,288)
Below-market rent intangibles				(57,569)	(57,209)	(57,569)	(360)	(360)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities				(118,389)	(118,389)	(118,389)
Deferred tax liability				(58,347)	(59,629)	(58,347)	1,282	1,282
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value				(2,002,593)	(2,003,515)		922	922
Total identifiable net assets				1,810,597	1,808,287		2,310	2,310
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests				(99,633)	(99,345)	(99,633)	(288)	(288)
Goodwill	698,891		350,208	348,876	348,972	348,876	(96)	(96)
Net acquisition				$ 2,059,840	$ 2,057,914		$ 1,926	$ 1,926