Stock-Based Compensation and Equity (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 21,745	$ 27,337	$ 121,209	$ 207,554
Allocation of distribution equivalents paid on nonvested RSUs and RSAs in excess of income	(73)	(113)	(408)	(855)
Net Income - basic	21,672	27,224	120,801	206,699
Income effect of dilutive securities, net of taxes	0	(8)	0	74
Net Income - diluted	$ 21,672	$ 27,216	$ 120,801	$ 206,773
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	105,813,237	100,282,082	105,627,423	96,690,675
Effect of dilutive securities	523,803	848,366	830,072	1,038,306
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	106,337,040	101,130,448	106,457,495	97,728,981
Anti-dilutive shares			0	0