CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Real Estate:
Lease revenues	$ 1,427,376	$ 1,301,617	$ 1,177,438
Income from finance leases and loans receivable	107,173	74,266	67,555
Investment Management:
Total revenues	1,741,358	1,479,086	1,331,524
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	574,212	503,403	475,989
General and administrative	96,027	88,952	81,888
Operating property expenses	95,141	27,054	9,848
Impairment charges — real estate	86,411	39,119	24,246
Reimbursable tenant costs	81,939	73,622	62,417
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	44,451	50,753	47,898
Stock-based compensation expense	34,504	32,841	24,881
Merger and other expenses	4,954	19,387	(4,546)
Reimbursable costs from affiliates	368	2,518	4,035
Impairment charges — Investment Management goodwill	0	29,334	0
Total operating expenses	1,018,007	866,983	726,656
Other Income and Expenses
Gain on sale of real estate, net	315,984	43,476	40,425
Interest expense	(291,852)	(219,160)	(196,831)
Other gains and (losses)	(36,184)	96,038	(12,885)
Non-operating income	21,442	30,309	13,860
Earnings (losses) from equity method investments	19,575	29,509	(10,829)
Gain on change in control of interests	0	33,931	0
Total other income and expenses	28,965	14,103	(166,260)
Income before income taxes	752,316	626,206	438,608
Provision for income taxes	(44,052)	(27,724)	(28,486)
Net Income	708,264	598,482	410,122
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	657	(134)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 708,334	$ 599,139	$ 409,988
Basic Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ 3.29	$ 3.00	$ 2.25
Diluted Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ 3.28	$ 2.99	$ 2.24
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	215,369,777	199,633,802	182,486,476
Diluted (in shares)	215,760,496	200,427,124	183,127,098
Real Estate
Real Estate:
Lease revenues	$ 1,427,376	$ 1,301,617	$ 1,177,438
Operating property revenues	180,257	59,230	13,478
Other lease-related income	23,333	32,988	53,655
Investment Management:
Operating property revenues	180,257	59,230	13,478
Total revenues	1,738,139	1,468,101	1,312,126
Operating Expenses
Impairment charges — Investment Management goodwill		0
Investment Management
Real Estate:
Operating property revenues	3,219	10,985	19,398
Investment Management:
Operating property revenues	3,219	10,985	19,398
Operating Expenses
Impairment charges — Investment Management goodwill		29,334
Investment Management | Asset management revenue
Real Estate:
Operating property revenues	2,184	8,467	15,363
Investment Management:
Operating property revenues	2,184	8,467	15,363
Investment Management | Other advisory income and reimbursements
Real Estate:
Operating property revenues	667	0	0
Investment Management:
Operating property revenues	667	0	0
Investment Management | Reimbursable costs from affiliates
Real Estate:
Operating property revenues	368	2,518	4,035
Investment Management:
Operating property revenues	$ 368	$ 2,518	$ 4,035