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

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

- Definition

Amount of assets pledged to secure a debt instrument.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateralAmount
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- 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
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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

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1930-109256

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

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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

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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

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-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

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

- Details

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- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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Debt - Propel Facilities (Detail) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	May 02, 2014	May 06, 2014	May 15, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of convertible senior notes	874	1,461
Credit facility, outstanding amount	$ 487,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit		$ 505,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Weighted average interest rate (percent)	2.98%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate	2.89%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Additional draws	0ecpg_AdditionalLoanAmountDrawn
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	264,691,000		259,432,000
Term loan facility	144,063,000us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt		146,023,000us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Securitized notes	40,000,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes		43,750,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Propel Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent)				5.50%
Convertible senior notes sold				31,900,000
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net				43,000,000
Term loan facility	9,100,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, collateral amount	102,000,000
Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent)					1.44%
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net					141,500,000
Receivable secured by property tax liens, principal amount					134,000,000
Propel Facility I [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	200,000,000
Borrowing base of the face value of the tax lien collateralized notes (percent)	90.00%
Credit facility, outstanding amount	48,800,000
Weighted average interest rate (percent)	3.26%	3.66%
Propel Facility I [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	3.00%
Propel Facility I [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	0.00%
Propel Facility I [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	3.75%
Propel Facility I [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	0.75%
Propel Facility II, Amended [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	150,000,000					100,000,000
Propel Facility II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, outstanding amount	32,800,000
Weighted average interest rate (percent)	3.48%	3.04%
Propel Facility II [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	2.25%
Propel Facility II [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Following Expiration Date [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	2.25%
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent)	4.00%
Propel securitized notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Securitized notes	$ 97,622,000		$ 104,247,000