Restructuring and Other Charges (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Global Manufacturing Realignment [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	$ 37,211
Global Manufacturing Realignment [Member] \| Diebold North America [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	11,579
Global Manufacturing Realignment [Member] \| Diebold International [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	25,632
EMEA Reorganization [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	14,754
EMEA Reorganization [Member] \| Diebold International [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	14,754
Global Workforce Reductions [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	42,935
Global Workforce Reductions [Member] \| Diebold North America [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	21,483
Global Workforce Reductions [Member] \| Diebold International [Member]
Cumulative total restructuring costs for significant plans
Costs incurred to date	$ 21,452

Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified type of restructuring cost.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 146

-Paragraph 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 95-3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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