Segment Reporting - Income From Real Estate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Revenues
Income from direct financing leases and loans receivable	$ 18,379	$ 17,742
Revenues	348,438	311,166
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	115,393	110,322
General and administrative	23,084	22,083
Impairment charges	20,179	0
Reimbursable tenant costs	16,960	15,758
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	13,779	10,883
Stock-based compensation expense	7,833	5,381
Operating property expenses	2,787	1,911
Merger and other expenses	(2,322)	(476)
Total operating expenses	198,620	166,903
Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense	(46,053)	(51,640)
Other gains and (losses)	35,745	(41,188)
Earnings (losses) from equity method investments	4,772	(9,733)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	11,248	9,372
Non-operating income	8,546	6,356
Total other income and expenses	14,258	(86,833)
Income before income taxes	164,076	57,430
Provision for income taxes	(7,083)	(5,789)
Net Income	156,993	51,641
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	(7)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	156,995	51,634
Real Estate
Revenues
Lease revenues	307,725	284,665
Income from direct financing leases and loans receivable	18,379	17,742
Lease termination income and other	14,122	1,585
Operating property revenues	3,865	2,179
Revenues	344,091	306,171
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	115,393	110,322
General and administrative	23,084	22,083
Impairment charges	20,179	0
Reimbursable tenant costs	16,960	15,758
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	13,779	10,883
Stock-based compensation expense	7,833	5,381
Operating property expenses	2,787	1,911
Merger and other expenses	(2,325)	(491)
Total operating expenses	197,690	165,847
Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense	(46,053)	(51,640)
Other gains and (losses)	34,418	(42,189)
Earnings (losses) from equity method investments	(787)	(11,119)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	11,248	9,372
Non-operating income	8,542	6,272
Total other income and expenses	7,368	(89,304)
Income before income taxes	153,769	51,020
Provision for income taxes	(6,913)	(6,426)
Net Income	146,856	44,594
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	(7)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 146,858	$ 44,587