Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 30,833	$ 25,185	$ 57,440	$ 55,152
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(562)	(271)	(496)	589
Income tax effect	220	107	194	(240)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	(342)	(164)	(302)	349
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(23,866)	8,173	(35,765)	(12,859)
Income tax effect	32	253	1,353	(1,364)
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation, net of tax	(23,834)	8,426	(34,412)	(14,223)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(24,176)	8,262	(34,714)	(13,874)
Comprehensive income	6,657	33,447	22,726	41,278
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(1,245)	2,472	(2,158)	1,930
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency translation	(1,260)	(930)	(922)	652
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,505)	1,542	(3,080)	2,582
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 4,152	$ 34,989	$ 19,646	$ 43,860