Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global Subsequent Event
Total Consideration
Fair value of W. P. Carey shares of common stock issued					$ 1,815,521
Cash consideration	13,748	0	152,356	0	1,338
Merger consideration					1,816,859
Fair value of our equity interest in CPA:16 Global prior to the CPA:16 Global Merger					324,049
Fair value of our equity interest in jointly-owned investments with CPA:16 Global prior to the CPA:16 Merger					156,205
Fair value of noncontrolling interests acquired					(259,455)
Total Consideration					2,037,658
Assets Acquired at Fair Value
Net investments in properties	33,625				2,018,445
Net investments in direct financing leases		363,420	376,005		496,723
Equity investments in real estate		530,020	565,626		68,608
Notes receivable					21,419
In-place lease, net		467,127	447,278		568,692
Above-market rent		241,975	279,885		387,206
Cash and cash equivalents					70,672
Other assets	1,170				71,969
Assets Acquired at Fair value					3,703,734
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value
Non-recourse debt and line of credit					(1,728,382)
Below-market rent intangibles	(1,618)				(66,183)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities					(123,036)
Deferred tax liability					(44,795)
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value					(1,962,396)
Total identifiable net assets	13,748				1,741,338
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests					(96,139)
Goodwill			268,683	0	392,459
Net acquisition					$ 2,037,658