Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (10,579)	$ 49,442
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(5,051)	(2,202)
Income tax effect	1,497	172
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax	(3,554)	(2,030)
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(61,038)	7,580
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(64,592)	5,550
Comprehensive (loss) income	(75,171)	54,992
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	125	(188)
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency translation	3	(427)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	128	(615)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ (75,043)	$ 54,377