Equity - Transfers to Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Transfers to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 47,704	$ 110,943	$ 51,661	$ 57,439	$ 51,049	$ 21,745	$ 63,348	$ 36,116	$ 267,747	$ 172,258	$ 239,826
Transfers to noncontrolling interest
Net transfers to noncontrolling interest									0	0	(41,374)
Change from net income attributable to W. P. Carey and transfers to noncontrolling interest									267,747	172,258	198,452
CPA: 16 - Global
Transfers to noncontrolling interest
Net transfers to noncontrolling interest									$ 0	$ 0	$ (41,374)