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

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of countries in which the entity operates as of balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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 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 2: 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

+ Details

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

- Definition

Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=ecpg_EuriborMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ecpg_CreditManagementServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended
	Nov. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2015 country acquisition	Nov. 04, 2015 GBP (£)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Senior secured notes				$ 32,500	$ 43,750
Subsequent event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of countries in which Company operates \| country		13
Subsequent event [Member] \| Cabot Senior Secured Fixed Rate Notes, due 2021 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Senior secured notes	$ 339,000		£ 310,000,000
Subsequent event [Member] \| Cabot Senior Secured Fixed Rate Notes, due 2021 [Member] \| Euribor [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	5.875%
Subsequent event [Member] \| Providers of credit management services [Member] \| Spain [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of business acquisitions \| acquisition		2