Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	$ 743,188	$ 662,382	$ 1,441,679	$ 1,276,539
Intersegment revenue	28,998	33,296	61,380	68,188
Operating profit (loss)	39,893	25,102	94,537	33,971
Capital expenditures	8,372	12,785	20,669	23,687
Depreciation	12,913	12,587	26,195	24,570
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	635,422	668,940	635,422	668,940	642,256
Total assets	2,569,329	2,596,598	2,569,329	2,596,598	2,517,443
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	398,897	337,992	798,817	643,956
Intersegment revenue	13,294	20,362	26,901	39,988
Operating profit (loss)	36,004	23,172	91,301	39,324
Capital expenditures	7,315	5,106	12,600	10,885
Depreciation	9,645	7,362	16,540	14,121
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	457,904	463,850	457,904	463,850
Total assets	1,072,470	1,028,612	1,072,470	1,028,612
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	344,291	324,390	642,862	632,583
Intersegment revenue	15,704	12,934	34,479	28,200
Operating profit (loss)	3,889	1,930	3,236	(5,353)
Capital expenditures	1,057	7,679	8,069	12,802
Depreciation	3,268	5,225	9,655	10,449
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	177,518	205,090	177,518	205,090
Total assets	$ 1,496,859	$ 1,567,986	$ 1,496,859	$ 1,567,986