Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 42,144	$ (51,946)	$ 76,199	$ 5,494
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(264)	983	1,170	487
Income tax effect	103	(384)	(409)	(190)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	(161)	599	761	297
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	9,712	(11,341)	32,000	(48,028)
Income tax effect	0	73	0	1,426
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of tax	9,712	(11,268)	32,000	(46,602)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,551	(10,669)	32,761	(46,305)
Comprehensive income (loss)	51,695	(62,615)	108,960	(40,811)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(13,950)	50,422	(5,652)	48,264
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency translation	(594)	(115)	(2,003)	807
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14,544)	50,307	(7,655)	49,071
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 37,151	$ (12,308)	$ 101,305	$ 8,260