Segment Reporting (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	$ 137,914	$ 69,278	$ 367,375	$ 202,939
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	26,437	9,007	87,237	59,527
Net (income) loss attributable to non controlling interests	(2,912)	325	(7,312)	1,383
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	18,506	2,588	75,854	46,654
Assets
Long-lived assets	4,457,933		4,457,933		4,306,251
Non-recourse debt	1,685,556		1,685,556		1,715,397
Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	85,132	21,221	250,483	65,297
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	19,737	9,285	89,412	56,759
Net (income) loss attributable to non controlling interests	(2,957)	(444)	(7,776)	(814)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	13,695	1,927	73,494	39,388
Assets
Long-lived assets	4,387,559		4,387,559		4,236,993
Non-recourse debt	1,685,556		1,685,556		1,715,397
Domestic | Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	60,057	18,893	177,943	57,882
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	15,627	6,997	75,449	34,538
Net (income) loss attributable to non controlling interests	(3,209)	(171)	(8,019)	(26)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	12,954	47	66,397	18,312
Assets
Long-lived assets	3,240,442		3,240,442		3,236,397
Non-recourse debt	1,077,574		1,077,574		1,111,263
International | Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	25,075	2,328	72,540	7,415
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	4,110	2,288	13,963	22,221
Net (income) loss attributable to non controlling interests	252	(273)	243	(788)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	741	1,880	7,097	21,076
Assets
Long-lived assets	1,147,117		1,147,117		1,000,596
Non-recourse debt	$ 607,982		$ 607,982		$ 604,134