Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 0	$ 144,422
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	1,814	11,601
Foreign currency translation adjustment		573
Decrease in the maximum redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(817)
Derecognition of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(145,992)
Ending balance		$ 0	$ 144,422

Temporary Equity, Decrease From Redemptions Or Purchase of Interest

No definition available.

Name:	gpn_TemporaryEquityDecreaseFromRedemptionsOrPurchaseOfInterest
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of accretion of temporary equity to its redemption value during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount, attributable to noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustments to temporary equity resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration