Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	$ 709,919	$ 709,322	$ 2,151,598	$ 1,985,861
Intersegment revenue	20,151	33,387	81,531	101,575
Operating profit	22,658	54,412	117,195	88,383
Capital expenditures	15,187	14,769	35,856	38,456
Depreciation	12,263	12,875	38,458	37,445
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	649,857	654,064	649,857	654,064	642,256
Total assets	2,595,754	2,465,019	2,595,754	2,465,019	2,517,443
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	395,477	364,144	1,194,294	1,008,100
Intersegment revenue	14,737	16,225	41,638	56,213
Operating profit	22,764	42,522	114,065	81,846
Capital expenditures	8,262	2,842	20,862	13,727
Depreciation	7,828	6,666	24,368	20,787
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	465,570	464,953	465,570	464,953
Total assets	1,056,570	1,016,275	1,056,570	1,016,275
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	314,442	345,178	957,304	977,761
Intersegment revenue	5,414	17,162	39,893	45,362
Operating profit	(106)	11,890	3,130	6,537
Capital expenditures	6,925	11,927	14,994	24,729
Depreciation	4,435	6,209	14,090	16,658
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	184,287	189,111	184,287	189,111
Total assets	$ 1,539,184	$ 1,448,744	$ 1,539,184	$ 1,448,744