Segment Information - Revenue By Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues	$ 840,095	$ 709,919	$ 743,188	$ 698,491	$ 849,987	$ 709,322	$ 662,382	$ 614,157	$ 2,991,693	$ 2,835,848	$ 2,823,793
Intersegment revenues									105,361	136,717	138,045
Operating profit (loss)									124,712	155,594	(1,802)
Capital expenditures									49,742	54,753	51,298
Depreciation and amortization									78,644	79,855	79,253
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	661,910				642,256				661,910	642,256	646,235
Total assets	2,592,987				2,517,443				2,592,987	2,517,443	2,519,790
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues									1,590,532	1,405,018	1,320,581
Intersegment revenues									57,240	73,399	93,600
Operating profit (loss)									103,596	123,033	81,022
Capital expenditures									29,554	23,131	33,043
Depreciation and amortization									55,260	52,109	50,638
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	471,835				461,452				471,835	461,452	460,429
Total assets	992,977				1,018,907				992,977	1,018,907	1,016,138
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Customer revenues									1,401,161	1,430,830	1,503,212
Intersegment revenues									48,121	63,318	44,445
Operating profit (loss)									21,116	32,561	(82,824)
Capital expenditures									20,188	31,622	18,255
Depreciation and amortization									23,384	27,746	28,615
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	190,075				180,804				190,075	180,804	185,806
Total assets	$ 1,600,010				$ 1,498,536				$ 1,600,010	$ 1,498,536	$ 1,503,652