Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (9,364)	$ 30,138	$ 45,788	$ 70,321
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Unrealized (loss) income on derivative instruments	(373)	(134)	(24)	2,095
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	(14,110)	(7,529)	(28,333)	(4,016)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(14,483)	(7,663)	(28,357)	(1,921)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(23,847)	22,475	17,431	68,400
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(1,595)	197	335	6,755
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	2,308	1,372	3,196	902
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	713	1,569	3,531	7,657
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ (23,134)	$ 24,044	$ 20,962	$ 76,057