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The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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- Definition

This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items, which is apportioned to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This item includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 19

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4568447-111683

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Impact Of Change in Shares Outstanding on Basic And Dilutive Earnings Per Share

+ References

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Impact Of Change In Shares Outstanding On Basic Earnings Per Share

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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- Definition

Impact Of Change In Shares Outstanding On Dilutive Earnings Per Share

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of properties sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 property	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2014 property	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Airways Group, Inc.	Jun. 30, 2012 Medica France, S.A.	Dec. 31, 2013 Self-storage property
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest							$ 24,400,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments	$ 52,472,000	$ 87,921,000	$ 85,632,000		$ 19,500,000	$ 15,100,000	$ 39,600,000
Number of properties sold				6			19
Number of real estate properties	418						20
Earnings per share attributable to W.P. Carey shareholders
Impact of change in shares outstanding on basic and dilutive earnings per share	$ 0.01
Impact of change in shares outstanding on basic earnings per share		$ 0.06
Impact of change in shares outstanding on dilutive earnings per share		$ 0.07