Earnings Per Share - Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 123,095	$ 85,352	$ 343,977	$ 245,688
Less income allocated to nonvested awards	(231)	(391)	(871)	(1,240)
Net income allocated to common stock for EPS calculation	$ 122,864	$ 84,961	$ 343,106	$ 244,448
Average common shares outstanding	183,917	182,971	183,633	182,656
Basic EPS	$ 0.67	$ 0.46	$ 1.87	$ 1.34
Diluted EPS:
Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders	$ 123,095	$ 85,352	$ 343,977	$ 245,688
Less income allocated to nonvested awards	(231)	(389)	(871)	(1,236)
Add income allocated to nonvested awards	231		871
Net income allocated to common stock for EPS calculation	$ 123,095	$ 84,963	$ 343,977	$ 244,452
Average common shares outstanding	183,917	182,971	183,633	182,656
Increase due to assumed issuance of shares related to common equivalent shares outstanding	1,192	811	1,123	829
Average nonvested awards	699		717
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding	185,808	183,782	185,473	183,485
Diluted EPS	$ 0.66	$ 0.46	$ 1.85	$ 1.33