Real Estate Investments (Consolidated Joint Ventures) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) property joint_venture	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) property joint_venture	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) property joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 17,408,511		$ 17,408,511		$ 17,405,866
Real estate investments, net		14,022,938		14,022,938		15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[1]	$ 87	$ (2,187)	(2,907)	$ (2,910)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture		4			4
Total assets		$ 17,408,511		17,408,511		17,405,866
Real estate investments, net		14,022,938		14,022,938		$ 15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[2]	$ 4	$ 613	$ (35)	$ 793
Number of joint ventures disposed of | property				2
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		647		647
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture				2		2
Total assets		$ 58,700		$ 58,700		$ 58,500
Real estate investments, net		$ 54,900		$ 54,900		$ 55,200
Number of properties with secured mortgage note payable | property		1		1
Joint ventures [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage note payable		$ 9,000		$ 9,000
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		2		2		2

[1] Represents (income) loss attributable to limited partners and consolidated joint venture partners.

[2] Represents (income) loss attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.