Schedule I - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net income / (loss)	$ 43,626	$ 3,343	$ 3,269	$ (11,785)	$ 1,197	$ (1,918)	$ (1,028)	$ (1,824)	$ 38,453	$ (3,573)	$ (3,987)
Amortization of discount on debt									736	548	820
(Increase) decrease in other assets									4,340	(3,768)	(683)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities									24,552	7,855	6,334
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									41,435	(15,463)	(6,999)
Cash used to net share settle equity awards									(54)	(128)	(75)
Purchase and retirement of Common Stock									(2,142)	(299)	(769)
Cohen & Company Inc. dividends									(27)	(519)	(966)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									3,789	5,936	(3,722)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									33,692	(5,802)	(8,827)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period									8,304	14,106	22,933
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	41,996				8,304				41,996	8,304	14,106
Parent Company [Member]
Net income / (loss)									14,205	(2,054)	(2,463)
Equity in undistributed earnings / (loss) from Cohen & Company, LLC									(8,567)	(1,340)	(921)
Distributions from / (contributions to) Cohen & Company, LLC									9,388	4,634	6,930
Other (income) / expense
Amortization of discount on debt									434	277	575
(Increase) decrease in other assets									21	47	(53)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities									(34)	19	14
Increase / (decrease) in deferred income taxes									(8,877)	(678)	(838)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									6,570	905	3,244
Repurchase and repayment of debt											(1,461)
Cash used to net share settle equity awards									(15)	(87)	(51)
Principal payments on debt									(4,386)
Purchase and retirement of Common Stock									(2,142)	(299)	(769)
Cohen & Company Inc. dividends									(27)	(519)	(966)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(6,570)	(905)	(3,247)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents											(3)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period											3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period