Receivables Secured by Property Tax Liens, Net - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2013
Property Tax Payment Agreements Receivable Net [Abstract]
Maximum rare lien to value ratio, percentage	25.00%
Maximum typical lien to value ratio, percentage	15.00%

Maximum percentage of general origination of tax lien transfer.

No definition available.

Name:	ecpg_MaximumPercentageOfGeneralOriginationOfTaxLienTransfer
Namespace Prefix:	ecpg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant