Equity - Preferred Stock and Preferred OP Units (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 10, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for redemption of Series D preferred stock		$ 0	$ 0	$ 316,126
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)		42,834,138	42,834,138
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for redemption of Series D preferred stock		$ 0	$ 0	316,126
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Preferred Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
General partners', units issued (shares)		42,834,138	42,834,138
Limited partners', Series F preferred units (shares)		86,874	86,874
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued under purchase agreement (shares)					15,100,000
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of offering costs	$ 702,500				$ 186,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued under purchase agreement (shares)					21,700,000
Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of offering costs					$ 288,000
Payments for redemption of Series D preferred stock				316,100
Series D Preferred Stock [Member] | Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative, net				$ (13,600)
Series F Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		6.70%
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00
Dividend rate (in dollars per share)		$ 1.675
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)		42,800,000