Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 109,736	$ 78,978	$ 16,817
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(7,658)
Income tax effect	1,743
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	(5,915)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments		1,242	407
Income tax effect		(200)	(87)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax		1,042	320
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(36,927)	28,362	(67,943)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Divestiture, Before Tax	3,663	0	0
Income tax effect	0	0	361
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation, net of tax	(33,264)	28,362	(67,582)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(39,179)	29,404	(67,262)
Comprehensive income (loss)	70,557	108,382	(50,445)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss	6,150	4,250	59,753
Unrealized loss (income) on foreign currency translation	5,548	(1,849)	20,173
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	11,698	2,401	79,926
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 82,255	$ 110,783	$ 29,481