Real Estate Investments (Consolidated Joint Ventures) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015 property	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) joint_venture	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) property joint_venture	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) property joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets			$ 16,057,820		$ 16,057,820		$ 17,405,866
Real estate investments, net			13,630,499		13,630,499		15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[1]		751	$ 612	$ (2,156)	$ (2,298)
Number of joint ventures disposed of | property					35
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture				4		4
Total assets			16,057,820		$ 16,057,820		17,405,866
Real estate investments, net			13,630,499		13,630,499		$ 15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[2]		$ 12	$ 404	$ (23)	$ 1,197
Number of joint ventures disposed of | property		2
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property			643		643
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture					2		2
Total assets			$ 59,600		$ 59,600		$ 58,500
Real estate investments, net			$ 55,600		$ 55,600		$ 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			$ 9,900		$ 9,900
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.