Additional Loan Amount Drawn

No definition available.

Name:	ecpg_AdditionalLoanAmountDrawn
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Borrowing base of the face value of the tax lien collateralized notes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_BorrowingBaseOfFaceValueOfTaxLienCollateralizedNotes
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Property Tax Payment Agreements Receivable, Net

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PropertyTaxPaymentAgreementsReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Property Tax Payment Agreements Receivable, Principal Balance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PropertyTaxPaymentAgreementsReceivablePrincipalBalance
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including both current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other forms of debt not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Debt - Propel Facilities (Detail) (USD $)											0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended																				9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Debt - Propel Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Propel Term Loan Facility [Member]	May 02, 2014 Propel Term Loan Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Propel Facility II, Amended [Member]	May 15, 2013 Propel Facility II, Amended [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Propel Facility II [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Propel securitized notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Propel securitized notes [Member]	May 06, 2014 LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility II, Amended [Member] Funding of Tax Liens [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Prime Rate [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Prime Rate [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Quarter To Date [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Quarter To Date [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Quarter To Date [Member] Propel Term Loan Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Quarter To Date [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Quarter To Date [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Quarter To Date [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Quarter To Date [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Year To Date [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Year To Date [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Year To Date [Member] Propel Term Loan Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Year To Date [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Year To Date [Member] Propel Facility I [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Year To Date [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Year To Date [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	Oct. 01, 2014 Subsequent event [Member] Propel Facility II, Amended [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Following Expiration Date [Member] LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]	May 06, 2014 Texas [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Texas [Member] Following Expiration Date [Member] LIBOR [Member] Propel Facility II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility					$ 200,000,000	$ 190,000,000.0	$ 100,000,000.0																								$ 150,000,000.0
Basis spread on variable rate											2.50%	3.25%	3.00%	0.00%	3.75%	0.75%																3.25%		2.50%
Borrowing base of the face value of the tax lien collateralized notes					90.00%
Credit facility, outstanding amount	429,000,000	356,000,000			38,500,000			46,600,000
Weighted average interest rate																	2.95%	3.07%	4.36%	3.15%	3.37%	3.94%	3.73%	2.92%	3.13%	4.48%	3.34%	3.26%	3.80%	3.53%
Additional draws	0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate																																4.00%	1.44%
Convertible senior notes sold				31,900,000.0
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	276,081,000	212,814,000		43,000,000																													141,500,000
Term loan facility	147,984,000	140,625,000	24,600,000
Receivable secured by property tax liens, principal amount																																	134,000,000
Encore senior secured notes	$ 47,500,000	$ 58,750,000							$ 113,401,000	$ 0