EPT - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	Noncontrolling interest
Balance at period beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		64,999
Balance at period beginning at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 6,183,192	$ 6	$ 6,876,326	$ (861,193)	$ (14,729)	$ 182,782
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	176,949			168,444		8,505
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	4,407				4,257	150
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	85				82	3
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net (in shares)		39
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net	(3,744)		(3,744)
Equity based compensation costs	5,082		5,028			54
Retirement of common stock, net (in shares)		(40)
Retirement of common stock, net	(9,172)		(9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(4,083)		(4,178)			95
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	1,900					1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(7,554)					(7,554)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest (in shares)		1
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest	(255)		(75)			(180)
Common stock dividends	(135,876)			(135,876)
Balance at period end (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021		64,999
Balance at period end at Mar. 31, 2021	6,210,931	$ 6	6,864,185	(828,625)	(10,390)	185,755
Balance at period beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021		65,248
Balance at period beginning at Dec. 31, 2021	6,176,508	$ 7	6,915,981	(916,833)	(5,552)	182,905
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	78,375			73,254		5,121
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	20,083				19,404	679
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	398				385	13
Issuance of common stock under:
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net (in shares)		84
Stock option and restricted stock plans, net	16,867		16,867
Sale of common stock, net	(141)		(141)
Equity based compensation costs	2,463		2,380			83
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,072)		(5,014)			(58)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	125					125
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(7,619)					(7,619)
Redemptions of noncontrolling interest	(26)		(1)			(25)
Common stock dividends	(143,754)			(143,754)
Balance at period end (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022		65,332
Balance at period end at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 6,138,207	$ 7	$ 6,930,072	$ (987,333)	$ 14,237	$ 181,224