Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Treasury shares [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Distributions in excess of net income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		53,361,261	13,850,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,688,014	$ 534	$ 139	$ 2,003,863	$ (62,177)	$ 17,193	$ (271,915)	$ 377
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted share units issued to Trustees (in shares)		19,685
Restricted share units issued to Trustees	1,054			1,054
Issuance of nonvested shares, net		280,193
Issuance of nonvested shares, net	683	$ 3		4,866	(4,186)
Amortization of nonvested shares	(6,482)			(6,482)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Shares, Requisite Service Period Recognition	1,359			1,359
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(18,464)					(18,464)
Change in unrealized gain/loss on derivatives	13,837					13,837
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	179,633						179,633	0
Issuances of common shares (in shares)		5,255,302
Issuances of common shares, net of costs	$ 264,335	$ 52		264,283
Stock option exercises, net (in shares)	35,963	35,963
Stock option exercises, net	$ 50	$ 0		1,533	1,483
Dividends to common and preferred shareholders	(210,494)						(210,494)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		58,952,404	13,850,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,926,489	$ 589	$ 139	2,283,440	(67,846)	12,566	(302,776)	377
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted share units issued to Trustees (in shares)		18,036
Restricted share units issued to Trustees	0			0
Issuance of nonvested shares, net		218,285
Issuance of nonvested shares, net	1,907	$ 2		1,941	(36)
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	(8,222)				(8,222)
Amortization of nonvested shares	(7,038)			(7,038)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Shares, Requisite Service Period Recognition	1,119			1,119
share based compensation included in retirement severance expense	6,377			6,377
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(33,710)					(33,710)
Change in unrealized gain/loss on derivatives	26,766					26,766
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	194,532						194,532
Issuances of common shares (in shares)		3,530,057
Issuances of common shares, net of costs	$ 190,365	$ 36		190,329
Stock option exercises, net (in shares)	476,400	476,400
Stock option exercises, net	$ (3,395)	$ 5		17,824	21,224
Dividends to common and preferred shareholders	(235,398)						(235,398)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation				(377)				377
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		63,195,182	13,850,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	2,073,868	$ 632	$ 139	2,508,445	(97,328)	5,622	(343,642)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted share units issued to Trustees (in shares)		15,805
Restricted share units issued to Trustees	0			0
Issuance of nonvested shares, net		300,752
Issuance of nonvested shares, net	4,475	$ 3		4,472	0
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	(4,211)				(4,211)
Amortization of nonvested shares	(10,255)			(10,255)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Shares, Requisite Service Period Recognition	909			909
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,142					5,142
Change in unrealized gain/loss on derivatives	(3,030)					(3,030)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	224,982						224,982
Issuances of common shares (in shares)		2,521,071
Issuances of common shares, net of costs	$ 142,848	$ 26		142,822
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		358
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares			(950)
Stock option exercises, net (in shares)	230,319	230,319
Stock option exercises, net	$ (1,488)	$ 2		10,143	11,633
Dividends to common and preferred shareholders	(267,849)						(267,849)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		66,263,487	13,849,050
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,185,901	$ 663	$ 139	$ 2,677,046	$ (113,172)	$ 7,734	$ (386,509)	$ 0