Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 2,450,868	$ 2,334,488
Operating real estate, at cost	98,756	99,703
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	165,009	136,068
Net investments in direct financing leases attributable to VIE's	360,701	376,005
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	62,765	123,904
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	465,931	447,278
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	269,355	279,885
Other intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	12,256	10,200
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	142,439	141,442
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	1,686,155	1,715,397
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	272,595	265,132
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, share authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Treasury stock, at cost	1,033,379	416,408
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	78,745	78,745
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	17,181	16,110
Net investments in direct financing leases attributable to VIE's	18,026	23,921
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	37	17
In-place lease, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	3,600	3,823
Above-market rent, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,658	2,773
Other intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	279	297
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	4,628	4,232
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	29,638	30,326
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 7,172	$ 7,659
Common Stock
W. P. Carey stockholders' equity:
Common stock, per share value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, issued	69,250,568	68,901,933
Common stock, outstanding	68,217,189	68,485,525