Segment Information - Revenue By Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues	$ 849,987	$ 709,322	$ 662,382	$ 614,157	$ 790,994	$ 748,620	$ 665,180	$ 618,999	$ 2,835,848	$ 2,823,793	$ 2,718,292
Intersegment revenues									136,717	138,045	76,059
Operating profit (loss)									155,594	(1,802)	150,592
Capital expenditures									54,753	51,298	44,287
Depreciation									50,549	51,425	50,085
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	642,256				646,235				642,256	646,235	613,377
Total assets	2,517,443				2,519,790				2,517,443	2,519,790	2,554,865
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues									1,405,018	1,320,581	1,382,461
Intersegment revenues									73,399	93,600	58,442
Operating profit (loss)									128,151	81,444	77,109
Capital expenditures									23,131	33,043	28,900
Depreciation									27,495	27,177	27,359
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	461,452				460,429				461,452	460,429	445,749
Total assets	1,018,907				1,016,138				1,018,907	1,016,138	1,082,529
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues									1,430,830	1,503,212	1,335,831
Intersegment revenues									63,318	44,445	17,617
Operating profit (loss)									27,443	(83,246)	73,483
Capital expenditures									31,622	18,255	15,387
Depreciation									23,054	24,248	22,726
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	180,804				185,806				180,804	185,806	167,628
Total assets	$ 1,498,536				$ 1,503,652				$ 1,498,536	$ 1,503,652	$ 1,472,336