Real Estate Investments and Related Intangibles - Consolidated Joint Ventures Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) joint_venture property	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) joint_venture property	Apr. 12, 2018 property
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 14,056,880		$ 14,056,880		$ 14,705,578
Real estate investments, net		12,195,699		12,195,699		12,707,347
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (less than)	[1]	(1,825)	$ 400	(2,880)	$ 1,530
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		14,056,880		14,056,880		14,705,578
Real estate investments, net		12,195,699		12,195,699		12,707,347
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (less than)	[2]	$ (57)	9	$ (113)	$ (12)
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		460		460			1
Outstanding Balance		$ 1,929,607		$ 1,929,607		$ 2,071,038
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture				1	2	1
Total assets		32,600		$ 32,600		$ 33,700
Real estate investments, net		$ 29,900		$ 29,900		$ 30,700
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		1		1		1
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance		$ 14,100		$ 14,100		$ 14,900
Maximum [Member] | VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (less than)			$ 100		$ (100)

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

[2] Represents net loss (income) attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.