Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,184,725	$ 739,378
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 105,868	$ 90,628
Basic EPS attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 0.58	$ 0.49
Diluted EPS attributable to TSYS common shareholders (Note 10)	$ 0.57	$ 0.49
Change in unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 0
TransFirst
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Revenue		$ 1,131,537
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders		$ 118,238
Basic EPS attributable to TSYS common shareholders		$ 0.65
Diluted EPS attributable to TSYS common shareholders		$ 0.64

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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