Real Estate Investments and Related Intangibles - Consolidated Joint Ventures Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) joint_venture property	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) joint_venture property	Apr. 12, 2018 property
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 13,963,493	$ 14,705,578
Real estate investments, net	12,168,067	12,707,347
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets	13,963,493	14,705,578
Real estate investments, net	$ 12,168,067	$ 12,707,347
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property	459	6	1
Outstanding Balance	$ 1,917,132	$ 2,071,038
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture	1	1
Total assets	$ 32,500	$ 33,700
Real estate investments, net	$ 29,900	$ 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	$ 14,000	$ 14,900