Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,120,676	$ 1,126,039	$ 1,227,013	$ 1,123,969
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	26,643	(3,722)	(88,738)	(10,213)
Reclassifications	1,762	119	2,544	198
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	28,405	(3,603)	(86,194)	(10,015)
Ending balance	1,194,862	1,150,857	1,194,862	1,150,857
Deferred taxes for unrealized losses from cash flow hedges	700	2,800	10,700	4,500
Debt Securities Available-for-sale
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	126	(38)	(44)	(83)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	51	37	221	82
Reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	51	37	221	82
Ending balance	177	(1)	177	(1)
Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(33,656)	(5,671)	(13,088)	44
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(5,515)	(8,121)	(26,865)	(13,915)
Reclassifications	1,762	119	2,544	198
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	(3,753)	(8,002)	(24,321)	(13,717)
Ending balance	(37,409)	(13,673)	(37,409)	(13,673)
Currency Translation Adjustments
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(342,087)	(242,812)	(247,886)	(242,070)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	32,107	4,362	(62,094)	3,620
Reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	32,107	4,362	(62,094)	3,620
Ending balance	(309,980)	(238,450)	(309,980)	(238,450)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(375,617)	(248,521)	(261,018)	(242,109)
Ending balance	$ (347,212)	$ (252,124)	$ (347,212)	$ (252,124)