Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 16,817	$ 47,384	$ 98,278
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	407	(1,527)	3,048
Income tax effect	(87)	(151)	(708)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	320	(1,678)	2,340
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	(67,943)	(57,144)	(10,562)
Income tax effect	361	(1,468)	(1,774)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of tax	(67,582)	(58,612)	(12,336)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(67,262)	(60,290)	(9,996)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(50,445)	(12,906)	88,282
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss (income)	59,753	(2,249)	5,448
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	20,173	3,390	3,879
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	79,926	1,141	9,327
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 29,481	$ (11,765)	$ 97,609