Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 5,006,682	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, attributable to consolidated VIEs	84,885	6,024
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	258,493	168,958
Net investments in direct financing leases	816,226	363,420
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	198,683	117,519
In-place lease and tenant relationships attributable to consolidated VIEs	993,819	471,719
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	522,797	241,975
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	289,179	131,841
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	2,532,683	1,492,410
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	175,070	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	293,846	166,385
Deferred income taxes attributable to VIEs	82,982	39,040
W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, share authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Common stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, issued	105,085,069	69,299,949
Common stock, outstanding	104,040,653	68,266,570
Treasury stock, shares	1,044,416	1,033,379
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	184,417	78,782
Operating real estate, attributable to consolidated VIEs	38,714	0
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	19,982	18,238
Net investments in direct financing leases	61,609	18,089
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,652	37
In-place lease and tenant relationships attributable to consolidated VIEs	21,267	3,385
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	13,767	2,544
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	18,603	4,246
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt	125,226	29,042
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	9,305	3,481
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	5,573	2,988
Deferred income taxes attributable to VIEs	$ 587	$ 0