Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Balance at January 1, 2014	$ (54,321)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	7,573
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	373
Other comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to Diebold	7,946
Balance at March 31, 2014	(46,375)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	(2,409)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	10,030	[1]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	10,030
Balance at March 31, 2014	7,621
Other comprehensive income (loss), translation adjustment, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(577)
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	(1,884)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,597)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,597)
Balance at March 31, 2014	(3,481)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	(960)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	174		205
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(57)		(60)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	117		145
Balance at March 31, 2014	(843)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	(52,027)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	462
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	462
Balance at March 31, 2014	(51,565)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	2,679
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,034)		(16)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(32)		(56)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,066)
Balance at March 31, 2014	1,613
Other Comprehensive Income - Other [Member]
Balance at January 1, 2014	280
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	0		7
Balance at March 31, 2014	$ 280

[1] Other comprehensive income before reclassifications within the translation component excludes $(577) of translation attributable to noncontrolling interests.