Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 4,572,313	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to VIEs	84,594	6,024
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	243,639	168,958
Net investments in direct financing leases	838,475	363,420
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	530,276	117,519
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	935,008	467,127
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	545,462	241,975
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	291,991	136,433
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,702,133	1,492,410
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	178,070	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	294,364	166,385
Deferred income taxes attributable to consolidated VIEs	96,372	39,040
W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	105,058,582	69,299,949
Common stock, shares outstanding	104,014,166	68,266,570
Treasury stock, shares	1,044,416	1,033,379
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	203,173	78,782
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to VIEs	38,714	0
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	23,272	18,238
Net investments in direct financing leases	62,975	18,089
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,130	37
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	21,915	3,385
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	14,252	2,544
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	20,945	4,246
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	131,215	29,042
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	9,555	3,481
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	6,069	2,988
Deferred income taxes attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 670	$ 0