Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data
Revenues	$ 139,008	$ 132,592	$ 112,221	$ 106,030	$ 160,841	$ 65,284	$ 62,405	$ 63,831	$ 489,851	$ 352,361	$ 309,711
Expenses	105,076	91,625	80,811	75,194	108,938	82,133	55,422	52,998	352,706	299,491	186,908
Net income	48,860	21,650	45,816	15,839	17,654	2,226	31,230	11,669	132,165	62,779	139,138
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(25,624)	(2,912)	(2,692)	(1,708)	(1,990)	325	480	578	(32,936)	(607)	1,864
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(214)	(232)	43	50	(187)	37	67	43	(353)	(40)	(1,923)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 23,022	$ 18,506	$ 43,167	$ 14,181	$ 15,477	$ 2,588	$ 31,777	$ 12,290	$ 98,876	$ 62,132	$ 139,079
Earnings per share attributable to W.P. Carey shareholders
Basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.27	$ 0.63	$ 0.20	$ 0.22	$ 0.06	$ 0.78	$ 0.30	$ 1.43	$ 1.30	$ 3.44
Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.27	$ 0.62	$ 0.20	$ 0.22	$ 0.06	$ 0.77	$ 0.30	$ 1.41	$ 1.28	$ 3.42
Distributions Declared Per Share	$ 0.980	$ 0.860	$ 0.840	$ 0.820	$ 0.660	$ 0.650	$ 0.567	$ 0.565	$ 3.39	$ 2.44	$ 2.19