Debt Instrument, Discount Rate

No definition available.

Name:	ecpg_DebtInstrumentDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ 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(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

- 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

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow for the settlement of obligation drawn from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with maturities due beyond one year or the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=ecpg_CabotSeniorSecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ecpg_CabotTwoThousandNineteenSeniorSecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ecpg_CabotTwoThousandTwentySeniorSecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ecpg_CabotTwoThousandTwentyOneNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ecpg_TenPointFivePercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ecpg_SeniorSecuredCabotFloatingRateNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

Debt - Cabot Senior Secured Notes (Detail) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
Debt - Cabot Senior Secured Notes (Detail) $ in Thousands	Nov. 11, 2015 EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 11, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2014 GBP (£)	Aug. 02, 2013 USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2013 GBP (£)	Jul. 25, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2013 GBP (£)	Sep. 20, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 20, 2012 GBP (£)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes		$ 25,000		$ 28,750
Repayment of senior credit facility		235,151	$ 124,395
Unamortized discount		39,440		41,867
Cabot Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes		1,345,014		1,360,000
Unamortized discount		$ 3,045		$ 3,184
Cabot 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes												$ 438,400	£ 265,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate												10.375%	10.375%
Cabot 2020 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes								$ 151,700	£ 100,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate								8.375%	8.375%
Cabot 2021 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes						$ 291,800	£ 175,000,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate						6.50%	6.50%
Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] \| Marlin [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes										$ 246,500	£ 150,000,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate										10.50%	10.50%
Long-term debt, fair value										$ 284,200
Senior Secured Cabot Floating Rate Notes [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes	€ 310,000,000.0				$ 332,200
Discount rate	1.00%
Unamortized discount	€ 3,100,000				$ 3,400
Three-Month EURIBOR [Member] \| Senior Secured Cabot Floating Rate Notes [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	5.875%