Stock-Based Compensation and Equity (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 110,943	$ 21,745	$ 220,043	$ 121,209
Allocation of distribution equivalents paid on nonvested RSUs and RSAs in excess of income	(386)	(73)	(766)	(408)
Net income – basic and diluted	$ 110,557	$ 21,672	$ 219,277	$ 120,801
Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic	107,221,668	105,813,237	106,493,145	105,627,423
Effect of dilutive securities - shares	246,361	523,803	360,029	830,072
Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted	107,468,029	106,337,040	106,853,174	106,457,495
Anti-dilutive shares, (shares)	0	0	0	0