Unaudited Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Number of Shares [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Treasury Stock [Member] USD ($)	Retained Earnings [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Minimum Pension Liability [Member] USD ($)	Total Global Payments Shareholders' Equity [Member] USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interest [Member] USD ($)
Balance at May. 31, 2010 (Previously Reported [Member])	$ 871,517		$ 460,747	$ (100,000)	$ 544,772	$ (41,306)	$ (2,949)	$ 861,264	$ 10,253
Balance at May. 31, 2010	871,517		390,325	0	515,194	(41,306)	(2,949)	861,264	10,253
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2010		79,646
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income including noncontrolling interests	106,941				102,873			102,873	4,068
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	39,798					39,798		39,798
Total comprehensive income	146,739							142,671	4,068
Stock issued under employee stock plans, net	1,962		1,962					1,962
Stock issued under employee stock plans, net (in shares)		444
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net	(1,027)		(1,027)					(1,027)
Share-based compensation expense	7,690		7,690					7,690
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(4,385)								(4,385)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment	(7,871)				(7,871)			(7,871)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,980)		(12,980)					(12,980)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(345)
Dividends paid ($0.04 per share)	(3,180)				(3,180)			(3,180)
Balance at Nov. 30, 2010	998,465		385,970	0	607,016	(1,508)	(2,949)	988,529	9,936
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2010		79,745
Balance at May. 31, 2011 (Previously Reported [Member])	1,337,817		502,993	(112,980)	715,202	82,159	(2,839)	1,184,535	153,282
Balance at May. 31, 2011	1,337,817		419,591	0	685,624	82,159	(2,839)	1,184,535	153,282
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2011		80,335
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income including noncontrolling interests	134,688				125,155			125,155	9,533
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(77,107)					(66,411)		(66,411)	(10,696)
Total comprehensive income	57,581							58,744	(1,163)
Stock issued under employee stock plans, net	(768)		(768)					(768)
Stock issued under employee stock plans, net (in shares)		310
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net	681		681					681
Share-based compensation expense	8,425		8,425					8,425
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(4,660)							0	(4,660)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment	(2,489)				(2,489)			(2,489)
Repurchase of common stock	(99,604)		(85,015)		(14,589)			(99,604)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,290)
Dividends paid ($0.04 per share)	(3,169)				(3,169)			(3,169)
Balance at Nov. 30, 2011	$ 1,293,814		$ 342,914	$ 0	$ 790,532	$ 15,748	$ (2,839)	$ 1,146,355	$ 147,459
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2011		78,355