Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	$ 709,322	$ 748,620	$ 1,985,861	$ 2,032,799
Intersegment revenue	33,387	38,254	101,575	103,654
Operating profit	54,412	52,379	88,383	139,819
Capital expenditures	14,769	11,075	38,456	37,991
Depreciation	12,875	16,061	37,445	38,868
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	654,064	633,507	654,064	633,507	646,235
Total assets	2,465,019	2,590,342	2,465,019	2,590,342	2,519,790
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	364,144	349,673	1,008,100	968,508
Intersegment revenue	16,225	27,595	56,213	67,822
Operating profit	43,726	34,270	85,609	67,096
Capital expenditures	2,842	6,872	13,727	24,373
Depreciation	6,666	8,624	20,787	19,877
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	464,953	456,974	464,953	456,974
Total assets	1,016,275	999,177	1,016,275	999,177
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	345,178	398,947	977,761	1,064,291
Intersegment revenue	17,162	10,659	45,362	35,832
Operating profit	10,686	18,109	2,774	72,723
Capital expenditures	11,927	4,203	24,729	13,618
Depreciation	6,209	7,437	16,658	18,991
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	189,111	176,533	189,111	176,533
Total assets	$ 1,448,744	$ 1,591,165	$ 1,448,744	$ 1,591,165