Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 287,909	$ 295,278	$ 278,997	$ 299,182	$ 305,685	$ 303,301	$ 312,188	$ 316,880
Net income (loss)	(37,866)	97,983	54,239	86,863	71,168	(741,529)	292,284	70,971	$ 201,219	$ (307,106)	$ (88,030)
Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner/OP	$ (37,820)	$ 97,932	$ 54,208	$ 86,808	$ 71,125	$ (726,440)	$ 285,658	$ 69,304	$ 201,128	$ (300,353)	$ (85,774)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.40	$ 0.19	$ 0.34	$ 0.26	$ (3.79)	$ 1.37	$ 0.27	$ 0.72	$ (1.85)	$ (0.81)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 287,909	$ 295,278	$ 278,997	$ 299,182	$ 305,685	$ 303,301	$ 312,188	$ 316,880
Net income (loss)	(37,866)	97,983	54,239	86,863	71,168	(741,529)	292,284	70,971	$ 201,219	$ (307,106)	$ (88,030)
Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner/OP	$ (37,836)	$ 97,997	$ 54,247	$ 86,870	$ 71,187	$ (741,504)	$ 292,314	$ 70,999	$ 201,278	$ (307,004)	$ (87,876)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.40	$ 0.19	$ 0.34	$ 0.26	$ (3.79)	$ 1.37	$ 0.27	$ 0.72	$ (1.85)	$ (0.81)