Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 47,384	$ 98,278	$ 73,740
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of tax:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(1,678)	2,340	(817)
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(55,222)	(8,457)	7,786
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of tax	(56,900)	(6,117)	6,969
Comprehensive (loss) income	(9,516)	92,161	80,709
Comprehensive (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(2,249)	5,448	1,559
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency translation	3,390	3,469	(1,398)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,141	8,917	161
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ (8,375)	$ 101,078	$ 80,870