Merger with CPA®:16 – Global (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014 CPA: 16 - Global	Jan. 31, 2014 Jointly Owned Investments CPA: 16 - Global
Total Consideration
Fair value of W.P.Carey shares of common stock issued				$ 1,815,521
Cash consideration for fractional shares	1,338	0		1,338
Merger consideration				1,816,859
Fair value of W. P. Carey & Co. LLC equity interest in jointly-owned investments with CPA:16 prior to the CPA:16 Merger				347,164	172,720
Fair value of noncontrolling interests acquired				(278,829)
Total Consideration				2,057,914
Assets Acquired at Fair Value
Net investments in properties	4,379,052		2,353,391	1,969,274
Net investments in direct financing leases	898,335		363,420	538,607
Equity investments in real estate	186,965		530,020	74,367
Assets held for sale	95,209		86,823	132,951
In-place lease, net	997,520		467,127	553,479
Above-market rent	595,430		241,975	395,663
Cash and cash equivalents				65,429
Other assets				82,032
Assets Acquired at Fair value				3,811,802
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value
Non-recourse debt	(2,961,999)		(1,492,410)	(1,768,288)
Below-market rent intangibles				(57,209)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities				(118,389)
Deferred tax liability				(59,629)
Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value				(2,003,515)
Total identifiable net assets				1,808,287
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests				(99,345)
Goodwill	700,024		350,208	348,972
Net acquisition				$ 2,057,914