Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 212,524	$ 168,909	$ 109,736
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	234	(5,029)	(7,658)
Income tax effect	(66)	761	1,743
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	168	(4,268)	(5,915)
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	17,160	23,169	(36,927)
Removal of other comprehensive loss in connection with divestiture	2,632	3,814	3,663
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of divestiture	19,792	26,983	(33,264)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	19,960	22,715	(39,179)
Comprehensive income	232,484	191,624	70,557
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(676)	(1,040)	6,150
Unrealized (income) loss on foreign currency translation	(7)	(494)	5,548
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	683	1,534	(11,698)
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 231,801	$ 190,090	$ 82,255