CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Number of Shares [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Retained Earnings [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] USD ($)	Total Global Payments Shareholders' Equity [Member] USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interest [Member] USD ($)
Balance, beginning balance at May. 31, 2011	$ 1,337,817		$ 419,591	$ 685,624	$ 79,320	$ 1,184,535	$ 153,282
Balance, beginning balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2011		80,335,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	205,965			188,161		188,161	17,804
Changes in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax	(2,210)				(2,210)	(2,210)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(130,101)				(107,110)	(107,110)	(22,991)
Stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)		833,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	11,446		11,446			11,446
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (in shares)		(327,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(4,861)		(4,861)			(4,861)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation plans, net	1,176		1,176			1,176
Share-based compensation expense	16,391		16,391			16,391
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(19,358)						(19,358)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment	(9,429)			(9,429)		(9,429)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,290,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(99,604)		(85,015)	(14,589)		(99,604)
Dividends paid (2014: $0.08, 2013: $0.08, 2012: $0.08 per share)	(6,311)			(6,311)		(6,311)
Balance, ending balance at May. 31, 2012	1,300,921		358,728	843,456	(30,000)	1,172,184	128,737
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2012		78,551,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	236,899			216,125		216,125	20,774
Changes in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax	1,517				1,517	1,517
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	20,638				13,421	13,421	7,217
Stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)		885,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	10,543		10,543			10,543
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (in shares)		(335,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(10,244)		(10,244)			(10,244)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation plans, net	850		850			850
Share-based compensation expense	18,427		18,427			18,427
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(16,206)						(16,206)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment	817			817		817
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(3,675,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(175,349)		(79,900)	(95,449)		(175,349)
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(96,008)		(96,008)			(96,008)
Dividends paid (2014: $0.08, 2013: $0.08, 2012: $0.08 per share)	(6,198)			(6,198)		(6,198)
Balance, ending balance at May. 31, 2013	1,286,607		202,396	958,751	(15,062)	1,146,085	140,522
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2013		75,426,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	269,952			245,286		245,286	24,666
Changes in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax	173				173	173
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	20,167				13,113	13,113	7,054
Stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)		1,901,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	31,727		31,727			31,727
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (in shares)		(644,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(14,498)		(14,498)			(14,498)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation plans, net	6,351		6,351			6,351
Share-based compensation expense	29,793		29,793			29,793
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(36,670)						(36,670)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(7,837,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(455,046)		(72,746)	(382,300)		(455,046)
Dividends paid (2014: $0.08, 2013: $0.08, 2012: $0.08 per share)	(5,757)			(5,757)		(5,757)
Balance, ending balance at May. 31, 2014	$ 1,132,799		$ 183,023	$ 815,980	$ (1,776)	$ 997,227	$ 135,572
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2014		68,846,000