Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Treasury shares [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Distributions in excess of net income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Total equity	$ 2,073,868	$ 632	$ 139	$ 2,508,445	$ (97,328)	$ 5,622	$ (343,642)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		63,195,182	13,850,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Restricted share units issued to Trustees		15,805
Issuance of nonvested shares, net		300,752
Issuance of nonvested shares, net	(4,475)	$ (3)		(4,472)
Purchase of common shares for vesting	4,211				4,211
Amortization of nonvested shares	(7,597)			(7,597)
Share option expense	684			684
Foreign currency translation adjustment	9,340					9,340
Change in unrealized gain/loss on derivatives	(10,264)					(10,264)
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	166,841						166,841
Issuances of common shares (in shares)		2,517,788
Issuances of common shares	$ 142,617	$ 26		142,591
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		18
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares			(50)
Stock option exercises, net (in shares)	128,027	128,027
Stock option exercises, net	$ (717)	$ (1)		(4,879)	(5,597)
Dividends to common and preferred shareholders	(200,803)						(200,803)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016		66,157,572	13,849,950
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Total equity	$ 2,189,427	$ 662	$ 139	$ 2,668,668	$ (107,136)	$ 4,698	$ (377,604)