Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations									$ 266,983	$ 262,968	$ 224,982
Less: preferred dividend requirements and redemption costs									$ (24,142)	$ (28,750)	$ (23,806)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic									74,292	71,191	63,381
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties									$ 242,841	$ 234,218	$ 201,176
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 1.15	$ 1.15	$ 0.32	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 3.27	$ 3.29	$ 3.17
Share options, shares									45	63	93
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 242,841	$ 234,218	$ 201,176
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted									74,337	71,254	63,474
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 242,841	$ 234,218	$ 201,176
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 1.15	$ 1.15	$ 0.32	$ 0.74	$ 0.77	$ 1.02	$ 0.75	$ 3.27	$ 3.29	$ 3.17
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit									61.79	61.79
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit									$ 76.63	$ 76.63	$ 61.79