UNAUDITED 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 Loss [Member] USD ($)	Total Global Payments Shareholders' Equity [Member] USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interests [Member] USD ($)
Balance, beginning balance at May. 31, 2013	$ 1,286,607		$ 202,396	$ 958,751	$ (15,062)	$ 1,146,085	$ 140,522
Balance, beginning balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2013		75,426,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	71,708			64,643		64,643	7,065
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of in 2014 :$2,516, 2013: $2,536	248				(2,314)	(2,314)	2,562
Stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)		886,000
Stock issued under employee stock plans	3,998		3,998			3,998
Common stock repurchased - share based compensation plans (in shares)		(341,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(5,413)		(5,413)			(5,413)
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net	1,088		1,088			1,088
Share-based compensation expense	4,788		4,788			4,788
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(12,482)						(12,482)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	(3,100,000)	(3,051,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(144,397)		(40,009)	(104,388)		(144,397)
Dividends paid (2014: $0.02, 2013: $0.02, per share)	(1,456)			(1,456)		(1,456)
Balance, ending balance at Aug. 31, 2013	1,204,689		166,848	917,550	(17,376)	1,067,022	137,667
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		72,920,000
Balance, beginning balance at May. 31, 2014	1,132,799		183,023	815,980	(1,776)	997,227	135,572
Balance, beginning balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2014		68,846,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	84,434			75,366		75,366	9,068
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of in 2014 :$2,516, 2013: $2,536	(22,704)				(17,575)	(17,575)	(5,129)
Stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)		904,000
Stock issued under employee stock plans	12,588		12,588			12,588
Common stock repurchased - share based compensation plans (in shares)		(294,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(6,713)		(6,713)			(6,713)
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net	3,154		3,154			3,154
Share-based compensation expense	4,066		4,066			4,066
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,249)						(11,249)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	(1,800,000)	(1,783,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(124,492)		(56,977)	(67,515)		(124,492)
Dividends paid (2014: $0.02, 2013: $0.02, per share)	(1,370)			(1,370)		(1,370)
Balance, ending balance at Aug. 31, 2014	$ 1,070,513		$ 139,141	$ 822,461	$ (19,351)	$ 942,251	$ 128,262
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014		67,673,000