Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Investment Management:
Revenues	$ 308,999	$ 298,323
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	116,194	112,379
General and administrative	20,745	21,285
Impairment charges	19,420	0
Reimbursable tenant costs	13,175	13,171
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	10,075	9,912
Operating property expenses	5,223	10,594
Reimbursable costs from affiliates	4,030	3,868
Stock-based compensation expense	2,661	4,165
Subadvisor fees	1,277	2,202
Merger and other expenses	187	146
Total operating expenses	192,987	177,722
Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense	(52,540)	(61,313)
Equity in (losses) earnings of equity method investments in the Managed Programs and real estate	(45,790)	5,491
Gain on sale of real estate, net	11,751	933
Other gains and (losses)	(4,423)	955
Total other income and expenses	(91,002)	(53,934)
Income before income taxes	25,010	66,667
Benefit from income taxes	41,692	2,129
Net Income	66,702	68,796
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(612)	(302)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 66,090	$ 68,494
Basic Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.41
Diluted Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.41
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	173,249,236	167,234,121
Diluted (in shares)	173,460,053	167,434,740
Real Estate
Real Estate:
Lease revenues	$ 282,110	$ 262,939
Lease termination income and other	6,509	3,270
Gross contract revenue	5,967	15,996
Investment Management:
Gross contract revenue	5,967	15,996
Revenues	294,586	282,205
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	115,207	111,413
General and administrative	14,922	15,188
Impairment charges	19,420	0
Reimbursable tenant costs	13,175	13,171
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	10,075	9,912
Operating property expenses	5,223	10,594
Stock-based compensation expense	1,970	2,800
Merger and other expenses	(132)	146
Total operating expenses	179,860	163,224
Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense	(52,540)	(61,313)
Equity in (losses) earnings of equity method investments in the Managed Programs and real estate	1,565	(78)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	11,751	933
Other gains and (losses)	(5,776)	970
Total other income and expenses	(45,000)	(59,488)
Income before income taxes	69,726	59,493
Benefit from income taxes	31,800	(6,159)
Net Income	101,526	53,334
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(612)	74
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	100,914	53,408
Investment Management
Real Estate:
Gross contract revenue	14,413	16,118
Investment Management:
Gross contract revenue	14,413	16,118
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	987	966
General and administrative	5,823	6,097
Reimbursable costs from affiliates	4,030	3,868
Stock-based compensation expense	691	1,365
Subadvisor fees	1,277	2,202
Merger and other expenses	319	0
Total operating expenses	13,127	14,498
Other Income and Expenses
Equity in (losses) earnings of equity method investments in the Managed Programs and real estate	(47,355)	5,569
Other gains and (losses)	1,353	(15)
Total other income and expenses	(46,002)	5,554
Income before income taxes	(44,716)	7,174
Benefit from income taxes	9,892	8,288
Net Income	(34,824)	15,462
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(376)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	(34,824)	15,086
Investment Management | Asset management revenue
Real Estate:
Gross contract revenue	9,889	9,732
Investment Management:
Gross contract revenue	9,889	9,732
Investment Management | Reimbursable costs from affiliates
Real Estate:
Gross contract revenue	4,030	3,868
Investment Management:
Gross contract revenue	4,030	3,868
Investment Management | Structuring and other advisory revenue
Real Estate:
Gross contract revenue	494	2,518
Investment Management:
Gross contract revenue	$ 494	$ 2,518