Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Pro Forma Information - Unaudited (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, basic, Actual (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.88
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, diluted, Actual (in dollars per share)	$ 1.10	$ 0.87
PayPros [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total Revenue, Actual		$ 629,685
Total Revenue, Proforma		652,748
Net income attributable to Global Payments, Actual		64,643
Net income attributable to Global Payments, Pro forma		$ 62,590
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, basic, Actual (in dollars per share)		$ 0.88
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, basic, Pro forma (in dollars per share)		$ 0.85
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, diluted, Actual (in dollars per share)		$ 0.87
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, diluted, Pro forma (in dollars per share)		$ 0.84