Segment Reporting (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	$ 209,171	$ 106,031
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	110,818	17,308
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,578)	(1,708)
Net Income attributable to W. P. Carey	112,892	14,181
Assets
Long-lived assets	5,559,561		3,333,654
Non-recourse debt	2,961,999		1,492,410
Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	135,236	76,483
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	101,591	22,768
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,389)	(2,225)
Net Income attributable to W. P. Carey	110,407	16,692
Assets
Long-lived assets	5,559,561		3,333,654
Non-recourse debt	2,961,999		1,492,410
Domestic
Assets
Non-recourse debt	6,000
Domestic | Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	87,624	53,641
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	112,960	16,466
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,117)	(2,118)
Net Income attributable to W. P. Carey	118,335	11,653
Assets
Long-lived assets	3,836,751		2,172,549
Non-recourse debt	1,733,527		874,035
International | Real Estate Investments
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	47,612	22,842
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(11,369)	6,302
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(272)	(107)
Net Income attributable to W. P. Carey	(7,928)	5,039
Assets
Long-lived assets	1,722,810		1,161,105
Non-recourse debt	$ 1,228,472		$ 618,375