Segment Reporting (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	$ 195,945	$ 132,592	$ 657,861	$ 350,843
Operating expenses	(128,219)	(91,625)	(461,188)	(247,630)
Interest expense	(46,534)	(26,262)	(133,342)	(77,596)
Other, net	7,530	11,958	129,566	59,004
Provision for income taxes	(901)	(5,391)	(11,175)	(3,050)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net of tax	260	0	(3,482)	(332)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(993)	(2,912)	(4,914)	(7,312)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations	5	413	(173)	1,021
Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	14	(232)	(137)	(139)
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	27,107	18,541	173,016	74,809
Real Estate Ownership
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	164,212	79,810	476,018	233,951
Operating expenses	(94,227)	(45,298)	(294,572)	(127,790)
Interest expense	(46,534)	(26,262)	(133,342)	(77,596)
Other, net	7,370	11,713	129,573	58,231
Provision for income taxes	(1,872)	(3,689)	(944)	(7,260)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net of tax	260	0	(3,482)	(332)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(757)	(2,957)	(4,470)	(7,776)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations	5	413	(173)	1,021
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	28,457	13,730	168,608	72,449
Investment Management
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	31,733	52,782	181,843	116,892
Operating expenses	(33,992)	(46,327)	(166,616)	(119,840)
Other, net	160	245	(7)	773
Provision for income taxes	971	(1,702)	(10,231)	4,210
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(236)	45	(444)	464
Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	14	(232)	(137)	(139)
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ (1,350)	$ 4,811	$ 4,408	$ 2,360