Segment Reporting (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	$ 119,056	$ 67,099	$ 231,561	$ 135,381
Operating expenses	(84,957)	(58,945)	(165,300)	(115,578)
Interest expense	(26,912)	(7,128)	(53,706)	(14,408)
Other, net	32,110	30,263	42,596	45,681
Benefits from (provision for) income taxes	1,122	1,882	2,355	187
Income from continuing operations attributable to W.P. Carey	40,419	33,171	57,506	51,263
Investment Management
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	34,564	43,822	64,110	89,586
Operating expenses	(38,218)	(43,974)	(73,514)	(87,197)
Other, net	184	918	1,040	2,196
Benefits from (provision for) income taxes	3,530	2,644	5,913	2,022
Income from continuing operations attributable to W.P. Carey	60	3,410	(2,451)	6,607
Real Estate Ownership
Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss
Revenues	84,492	23,277	167,451	45,795
Operating expenses	(46,739)	(14,971)	(91,786)	(28,381)
Interest expense	(26,912)	(7,128)	(53,706)	(14,408)
Other, net	31,926	29,345	41,556	43,485
Benefits from (provision for) income taxes	(2,408)	(762)	(3,558)	(1,835)
Income from continuing operations attributable to W.P. Carey	$ 40,359	$ 29,761	$ 59,957	$ 44,656