Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,227,013	$ 1,123,969
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(115,381)	(6,492)
Reclassifications	782	80
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	(114,599)	(6,412)
Ending balance	1,120,676	1,126,039
Debt Securities Available-for-sale
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(44)	(83)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	170	45
Reclassifications	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	170	45
Ending balance	126	(38)
Deferred taxes	10,000	1,700
Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(13,088)	44
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(21,350)	(5,795)
Reclassifications	782	80
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	(20,568)	(5,715)
Ending balance	(33,656)	(5,671)
Currency Translation Adjustments
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(247,886)	(242,070)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(94,201)	(742)
Reclassifications	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	(94,201)	(742)
Ending balance	(342,087)	(242,812)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(261,018)	(242,109)
Ending balance	$ (375,617)	$ (248,521)

Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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