Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 168,909	$ 109,736	$ 78,978
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(5,029)
Income tax effect	761
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	(4,268)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments		(7,658)	1,242
Income tax effect		1,743	(200)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax		(5,915)	1,042
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	23,169	(36,927)	28,362
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of divestiture	(3,814)	(3,663)	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of divestiture	26,983	(33,264)	28,362
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	22,715	(39,179)	29,404
Comprehensive income	191,624	70,557	108,382
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(1,040)	6,150	4,250
Unrealized (income) loss on foreign currency translation	(494)	5,548	(1,849)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,534)	11,698	2,401
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 190,090	$ 82,255	$ 110,783