Segment Reporting (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	$ 209,171	$ 106,031
Operating expenses	(171,742)	(75,194)
Interest expense	(39,075)	(25,584)
Other, net	110,476	10,674
Provision for (benefits from) income taxes	(2,221)	1,208
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	106,609	17,135
Real Estate Ownership
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	135,236	76,483
Operating expenses	(107,362)	(39,898)
Interest expense	(39,075)	(25,584)
Other, net	111,255	9,819
Provision for (benefits from) income taxes	4,070	(1,174)
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	104,124	19,646
Investment Management
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	73,935	29,548
Operating expenses	(64,380)	(35,296)
Other, net	(779)	855
Provision for (benefits from) income taxes	(6,291)	2,382
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 2,485	$ (2,511)