Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 2,373,912	$ 2,334,488
Operating real estate, at cost	98,690	99,703
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	150,207	136,068
Net investments in direct financing leases attributable to VIE's	364,078	376,005
Cash attributable to consolidated VIEs	111,564	123,904
In-place lease attributable to consolidated VIEs	468,132	447,278
Above-market rent attributable to consolidated VIEs	267,845	279,885
Other intangible assets attributable to consolidated VIEs	10,484	10,200
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	136,420	141,442
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	1,695,335	1,715,397
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	317,520	265,132
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Treasury stock, cost	416,408	416,408
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	78,745	78,745
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	16,648	16,110
Net investments in direct financing leases attributable to VIE's	23,900	23,921
Cash attributable to consolidated VIEs	10	17
In-place lease attributable to consolidated VIEs	3,707	3,823
Above-market rent attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,716	2,773
Other intangible assets attributable to consolidated VIEs	287	297
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	4,733	4,232
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	30,040	30,326
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 7,656	$ 7,659
Common Stock
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Common stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, issued	69,178,667	68,901,933
Common stock, outstanding	69,178,667	68,901,933