Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 19,076	$ 30,833	$ 34,055	$ 57,440
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	963	(562)	1,434	(496)
Income tax effect	35	220	(512)	194
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	998	(342)	922	(302)
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	7,824	(25,126)	22,288	(36,687)
Income tax effect	0	32	0	1,353
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of tax	7,824	(25,094)	22,288	(35,334)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	8,822	(25,436)	23,210	(35,636)
Comprehensive income	27,898	5,397	57,265	21,804
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss (income)	1,179	(1,245)	8,298	(2,158)
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency translation	1,841	1,260	(1,409)	922
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,020	15	6,889	(1,236)
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 30,918	$ 5,412	$ 64,154	$ 20,568