Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 28, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001084961
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-26489
Entity Registrant Name	ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	48-1090909
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 Camino De La Reina
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92108
City Area Code	877
Local Phone Number	445 - 4581
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
Trading Symbol	ECPG
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,009,845