Acquisition Limit

No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Additional Borrowing Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Borrowing base as percentage of eligible estimated collection range start

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Borrowing base as percentage of eligible estimated collection range end.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash Flow Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash Flow Secured Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument borrowing base as percentage of receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Percentage of Consolidated Net Worth

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Number of Subtranches

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity including accordion facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityIncludingAccordionFacility
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum Additional Unsecured Debt

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Other Long Term Debt And Line Of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of eligible estimated remaining collections.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of multiplying factor.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PercentageOfMultiplyingFactor
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage Of Outstanding Voting Stock

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PercentageOfOutstandingVotingStock
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage to be added to adjusted base rate for alternate base rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PercentageToBeAddedToAdjustedBaseRateForAlternateBaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage to be added to base rate for alternate base rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecpg_PercentageToBeAddedToBaseRateForAlternateBaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock repurchase program maximum amount of common stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ 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 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

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- 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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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Debt - Encore Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility (Detail)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 09, 2015 USD ($) subtranche	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility		$ 140,141,000		$ 140,141,000		$ 146,023,000
Percentage to be added to base rate for alternate base rate (percent)	0.50%
Percentage to be added to adjusted base rate for alternate base rate (percent)	1.00%
Borrowing base as percentage of eligible estimated collection range start (percent)	30.00%
Borrowing base as percentage of eligible estimated collection range end (percent)	35.00%
Percentage of eligible estimated remaining collections (percent)	33.00%
Eligible estimated remaining collections for consumer receivables (percent)	55.00%
Percentage of multiplying factor (percent)	95.00%
Maximum cash flow leverage ratio	250.00%
Maximum cash flow secured leverage ratio	200.00%
Allowance of additional unsecured indebtedness	$ 1,100,000,000
Company's repurchases, common stock	$ 150,000,000
Percentage of acquisitions excluded	50.00%
Acquisition limit	$ 225,000,000.0
Credit facility, provision, investments not to exceed maximum percentage of consolidated net worth (percent)	200.00%
Amount outstanding		$ 716,100,000		$ 716,100,000
Weighted average interest rate (percent)		3.25%	2.95%	3.12%	2.92%
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum cash flow leverage ratio	125.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 153,800,000
Term Loan Subtranche One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 60,000,000
Line of credit facility expiration date	Feb. 28, 2017
Principal amount amortized, 2015	$ 3,000,000
Principal amount amortized, 2016	$ 4,500,000
Term Loan Subtranche One [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Term Loan Subtranche One [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Term Loan Subtranche One [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Term Loan Subtranche One [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Term loan Subtranche Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 6,300,000
Line of credit facility expiration date	Nov. 03, 2017
Principal amount amortized, 2015	$ 500,000
Principal amount amortized, 2016	600,000
Principal amount amortized, 2017	$ 500,000
Term loan Subtranche Two [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Term loan Subtranche Two [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Term loan Subtranche Two [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Term loan Subtranche Two [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Term Loan One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 87,500,000
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Principal amount amortized, 2015	$ 4,400,000
Principal amount amortized, 2016	6,600,000
Principal amount amortized, 2017	8,800,000
Principal amount amortized, 2018	$ 8,800,000
Term Loan One [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Term Loan One [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Term Loan One [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Term Loan One [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 692,600,000
Additional line of revolving credit facility	$ 250,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Restated Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity including accordion agreement after amendment	$ 1,100,000,000.0
Line of credit facility expiration date	Feb. 28, 2019
Debt Instrument, number of subtranches \| subtranche	2