Real Estate Investments - Consolidated Joint Ventures Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) property	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) property joint_venture	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) property joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 15,048,040		$ 15,048,040		$ 15,587,574
Real estate investments, net		12,732,614		12,732,614		13,252,799
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[1]	778	$ 87	1,130	$ (2,907)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		15,048,040		15,048,040		15,587,574
Real estate investments, net		12,732,614		12,732,614		$ 13,252,799
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[2]	$ (14)	$ 4	$ (21)	$ (35)
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		584		584
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture				2		2
Total assets		$ 64,300		$ 64,300		$ 64,800
Real estate investments, net		$ 59,800		$ 59,800		$ 58,800
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		$ 14,300		$ 14,300
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 loss (income) attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.