Debt (Corporate Bonds) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 05, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
(Loss) gain on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		$ (2,003)	$ 0	$ (1,751)	$ 5,302
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		2,250,000		2,250,000		$ 2,550,000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
(Loss) gain on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		(2,003)	$ 0	(1,751)	$ 5,302
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 2,250,000		$ 2,250,000
Interest rate		4.056%		4.056%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2021 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 400,000		$ 400,000
Interest rate		4.125%		4.125%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2026 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 600,000		$ 600,000
Interest rate		4.875%		4.875%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2017 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 0
Interest rate	2.00%
Aggregate principal amount redeemed	$ 1,300,000
(Loss) gain on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net	$ (13,200)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2019 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 750,000		$ 750,000
Interest rate		3.00%		3.00%
Redemption price, percentage of principal				100.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2024 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Interest rate		4.60%		4.60%
Redemption price, percentage of principal				100.00%