Real Estate Investments and Related Intangibles - Consolidated Joint Ventures Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) property joint_venture	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) property joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 14,451,789		$ 14,705,578
Real estate investments, net		12,599,772		12,707,347
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[1]	742	$ 352
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		14,451,789		14,705,578
Real estate investments, net		12,599,772		12,707,347
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[2]	$ (40)	$ (7)
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		472
Outstanding Balance		$ 2,068,455		$ 2,071,038
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture		1	2	1
Total assets		$ 33,200		$ 33,700
Real estate investments, net		$ 30,400		$ 30,700
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		1		1
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance		$ 14,900		$ 14,900

[1] Represents income attributable to limited partners and loss attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.

[2] Represents loss attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.