Debt - Corporate Bonds Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 05, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 11, 2017	Jun. 02, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		$ 18,373,000	$ (771,000)	$ 4,812,000
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 2,850,000,000	2,250,000,000
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]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		$ 18,373,000	$ (771,000)	$ 4,812,000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 2,850,000,000
Interest rate		4.033%
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2019 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 750,000,000
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] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2021 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 400,000,000				$ 400,000,000
Interest rate		4.125%				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] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2024 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 500,000,000
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] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2026 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 600,000,000				$ 600,000,000
Interest rate		4.875%				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] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2017 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 1,300,000,000.0	$ 0
Interest rate	2.00%
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net	$ 13,200,000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | 2027 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding		$ 600,000,000			$ 600,000,000
Interest rate		3.95%			3.95%
Maximum number of days prior to maturity date		90 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal		100.00%