Consolidated Statements Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling interest
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		38,088,391	40,509
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 413,225	$ 3,805	$ (76)	$ 164,216	$ 257,574	$ (12,294)	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Ebix, Inc.	63,558				63,558
Net income attributable to noncontrolling	0
Cumulative translation adjustment	(5,855)					(5,855)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		450,000
Exercise of stock options	788	$ 45		743
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,146,488)
Repurchase of common stock	(31,854)	$ (215)		(31,639)
Deferred compensation and amortization related to options and restricted stock	1,792			1,792
Vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		52,384
Vesting of restricted stock	0	$ 5		(5)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested (in shares)		(2,557)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested	(41)			(41)
Shares reaquired in connection with put option (in shares)		(209,656)
Shares reacquired in connection with put option	(2,986)	$ (21)		(2,965)
Reclassification of shares previously reported as temporary equity in connection with an acquisition	5,000			5,000
Dividends paid	(11,406)				(11,406)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		36,232,074	40,509
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	432,221	$ 3,619	$ (76)	137,101	309,726	(18,149)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Ebix, Inc.	79,533				79,533
Net income attributable to noncontrolling	0
Cumulative translation adjustment	(12,129)					(12,129)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		109,122
Exercise of stock options	2,209	$ 11		2,198
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,924,306)
Repurchase of common stock	(82,473)	$ (293)		(82,180)
Deferred compensation and amortization related to options and restricted stock	1,821			1,821
APIC adjustment for stock options	463			463
Vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		108,797
Vesting of restricted stock	0	$ 12		(12)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested (in shares)		(69,068)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested	(2,202)	$ (7)		(2,195)
Cancellation of treasury shares (in shares)		(40,509)	40,509
Cancellation of treasury shares	0		$ 76	(76)
Dividends paid	(10,472)				(10,472)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		33,416,110	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	408,971	$ 3,342	$ 0	57,120	378,787	(30,278)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Ebix, Inc.	93,847				93,847
Net income attributable to noncontrolling	447						447
Cumulative translation adjustment	(3,399)					(3,399)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		72,379
Exercise of stock options	824	$ 7		817
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(1,479,454)
Repurchase of common stock	(65,314)	$ (148)		(59,725)	(5,441)
Deferred compensation and amortization related to options and restricted stock	2,794			2,794
Vesting of restricted stock (in shares)		101,444
Vesting of restricted stock	$ 0	$ 11		(11)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested (in shares)	(17,185)	(17,185)
Forfeiture of certain shares to satisfy exercise costs and the recipients income tax obligations related to stock options exercised and restricted stock vested	$ (998)	$ (3)		(995)
Recognized controlling ownership of joint venture	11,293						11,293
Dividends paid	(9,829)				(9,829)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		32,093,294	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 438,636	$ 3,209	$ 0	$ 0	$ 457,364	$ (33,677)	$ 11,740