Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	$ 705,424	$ 709,919	$ 2,046,048	$ 2,151,598
Intersegment revenue	25,049	20,151	79,642	81,531
Operating (loss) profit	(30,253)	21,025	(67,791)	112,296
Capital expenditures	7,492	15,187	25,648	35,856
Depreciation and amortization	21,891	18,114	64,085	56,909
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	603,699	649,857	603,699	649,857	661,910
Total assets	2,299,737	2,595,754	2,299,737	2,595,754	2,592,987
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	356,943	395,477	1,056,184	1,194,294
Intersegment revenue	21,265	14,737	60,157	41,638
Operating (loss) profit	28,295	22,424	35,831	113,020
Capital expenditures	4,192	8,262	15,391	20,862
Depreciation and amortization	16,253	12,940	46,583	40,055
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	418,562	465,570	418,562	465,570
Total assets	895,976	1,056,570	895,976	1,056,570
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	348,481	314,442	989,864	957,304
Intersegment revenue	3,784	5,414	19,485	39,893
Operating (loss) profit	(58,548)	(1,399)	(103,622)	(724)
Capital expenditures	3,300	6,925	10,257	14,994
Depreciation and amortization	5,638	5,174	17,502	16,854
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	185,137	184,287	185,137	184,287
Total assets	$ 1,403,761	$ 1,539,184	$ 1,403,761	$ 1,539,184