Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative-effect adjustment for the adoption of new accounting pronouncement	Total W.P. Carey Stockholders	Total W.P. Carey Stockholders Cumulative-effect adjustment for the adoption of new accounting pronouncement	$0.001 Par Value Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings Cumulative-effect adjustment for the adoption of new accounting pronouncement	Deferred Compensation Obligation	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning equity balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 6,830,055		$ 6,824,278		$ 165	$ 8,187,335	$ (1,143,992)		$ 35,766	$ (254,996)	$ 5,777
Beginning equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018					165,279,642
W.P. Carey Stockholders
Shares issued upon delivery of vested restricted share awards, value	(15,565)		(15,565)		$ 1	(15,566)
Shares issued upon delivery of vested restricted share awards, shares					303,261
Shares issued under ATM Program, net, value	303,831		303,831		$ 4	303,827
Shares issued under ATM Program, net, shares					4,053,623
Deferral of vested shares, net						(1,445)			1,445
Amortization of stock-based compensation expense	4,165		4,165			4,165
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	849										849
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(496)										(496)
Dividends declared	(176,219)		(176,219)			4,985	(181,256)		52
Net Income	68,796		68,494				68,494				302
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(173)		(173)							(173)
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments	1,949		1,949							1,949
Unrealized gain on investments	537		537							537
Ending equity balance at Mar. 31, 2019	7,017,729		7,011,297		$ 170	8,483,301	(1,256,754)		37,263	(252,683)	6,432
Ending equity balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2019					169,636,526
Beginning equity balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 6,948,173	$ (14,812)	6,941,929	$ (14,812)	$ 172	8,717,535	(1,557,374)	$ (14,812)	37,263	(255,667)	6,244
Beginning equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019	172,278,242				172,278,242
W.P. Carey Stockholders
Shares issued upon delivery of vested restricted share awards, value	$ (5,012)		(5,012)			(5,012)
Shares issued upon delivery of vested restricted share awards, shares					124,274
Deferral of vested shares, net						(4,131)			4,131
Amortization of stock-based compensation expense	2,661		2,661			2,661
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(4,725)										(4,725)
Dividends declared	(180,560)		(180,560)			1,191	(182,648)		897
Net Income	66,702		66,090				66,090				612
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(52,200)		(52,200)							(52,200)
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments	12,849		12,849							12,849
Unrealized gain on investments	0
Ending equity balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 6,773,076		$ 6,770,945		$ 172	$ 8,712,244	$ (1,688,744)		$ 42,291	$ (295,018)	$ 2,131
Ending equity balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020	172,402,516				172,402,516