Debt - Corporate Bonds Narrative (Details) - Corporate Bonds [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Aug. 11, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 2,850,000		$ 2,250,000
Covenant terms, maximum limitation on incurrence of total debt, percentage of total assets	65.00%
Covenant terms, maximum limitation on incurrence of secured debt, percentage of total assets	40.00%
Covenant terms, minimum debt service coverage ratio	1.5
Covenant terms, minimum unencumbered asset value, percentage	150.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 2,850,000
Interest rate	4.033%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | 2019 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 750,000
Interest rate	3.00%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date	30 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal	100.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | 2021 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 400,000
Interest rate	4.125%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date	30 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal	100.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | 2024 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 500,000
Interest rate	4.60%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date	90 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal	100.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | 2026 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 600,000
Interest rate	4.875%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date	90 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal	100.00%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | 2027 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Interest rate	3.95%	3.95%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date	90 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal	100.00%