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

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: 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=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: 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=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- 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

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ 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=64930785&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=64930739&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

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_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
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:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesdue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Cabot Senior Secured Notes (Detail)	Nov. 11, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 06, 2016 GBP (£)	Oct. 06, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 11, 2015 EUR (€)	Mar. 27, 2014 GBP (£)	Mar. 27, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2013 GBP (£)	Aug. 02, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2013 GBP (£)	Jul. 25, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 20, 2012 GBP (£)	Sep. 20, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes				$ 14,407,000	$ 28,750,000
Unamortized discount				34,502,000	41,867,000
Cabot Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes				1,242,359,000	1,360,000,000
Unamortized discount				$ 2,440,000	$ 3,184,000
Cabot 2019 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes													£ 265,000,000	$ 438,400,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate													10.375%	10.375%
Cabot 2020 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes									£ 100,000,000	$ 151,700,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate									8.375%	8.375%
Cabot 2021 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes							£ 175,000,000.0	$ 291,800,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate							6.50%	6.50%
Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member] \| Marlin [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes											£ 150,000,000.0	$ 246,500,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate											10.50%	10.50%
Long-term debt, fair value												$ 284,200,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued															$ 75,000,000.0
Senior Secured Cabot Floating Rate Notes [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes	$ 332,200,000					€ 310,000,000.0
Discount rate	1.00%
Unamortized discount	$ 3,400,000					€ 3,100,000
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%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Senior Secured Notes due 2023 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate		7.50%	7.50%
Debt issued		£ 350,000,000	$ 442,600,000