<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>285</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>434</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>74</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0102114 - Document - Recently Issued Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Issued Accounting Standards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001002 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002003 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003004 - Statement - Consolidated Income Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Income Statements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005006 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementofChangesinStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101101 - Disclosure - Organization and Business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Business</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105102 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ChangeinAccountingPrinciple</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108103 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnet</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121104 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2126105 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsnet</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129106 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134107 - Disclosure - Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Borrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2145108 - Disclosure - Derivatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2151109 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsandDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2156110 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2160111 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2163112 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2165113 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Organization and Business (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusinessPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Business (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Organization and Business (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusinessTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Business (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusiness</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306302 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ChangeinAccountingPrincipleTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ChangeinAccountingPrinciple</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309303 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnet</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322304 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/InvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Investments</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2327305 - Disclosure - Goodwill And Intangible Assets, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill And Intangible Assets, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2330306 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2335307 - Disclosure - Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Borrowings</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346308 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/Derivatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2352309 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsandDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsandDisclosures</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2357310 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2361311 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404401 - Disclosure - Organization and Business (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusinessDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Business (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/OrganizationandBusinessTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Change in Accounting Principle (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Accounting Principle (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/ChangeinAccountingPrincipleTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Rollforward) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Rollforward) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Allowance for Expected Recoveries) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetFinanceReceivablesnetAllowanceforExpectedRecoveriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Allowance for Expected Recoveries) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Portfolio Acquisitions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetPortfolioAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Portfolio Acquisitions) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413406 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Initial Negative Allowance for Recoveries) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetFinanceReceivablesnetInitialNegativeAllowanceforRecoveriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Initial Negative Allowance for Recoveries) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414407 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Recoveries) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetFinanceReceivablesnetRecoveriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net Finance Receivables, net (Recoveries) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415408 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Changes in Estimated Future Recoveries) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetChangesinEstimatedFutureRecoveriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Changes in Estimated Future Recoveries) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416409 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Changes In Finance Receivables) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetScheduleofChangesInFinanceReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Changes In Finance Receivables) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417410 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418411 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Cash Collections Applied to Principal) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetScheduleofCashCollectionsAppliedtoPrincipalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Cash Collections Applied to Principal) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419412 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Changes in Accretable Yield) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetScheduleofChangesinAccretableYieldDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Changes in Accretable Yield) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420413 - Disclosure - Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Valuation Allowance Account) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetScheduleofValuationAllowanceAccountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Finance Receivables, net (Schedule of Valuation Allowance Account) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FinanceReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423414 - Disclosure - Investments - Summary of Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryofInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments - Summary of Investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424415 - Disclosure - Investments - Amortized Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/InvestmentsAmortizedCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments - Amortized Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425416 - Disclosure - Investments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428417 - Disclosure - Goodwill And Intangible Assets, Net Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsNetScheduleofGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill And Intangible Assets, Net Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431418 - Disclosure - Leases - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432419 - Disclosure - Leases - Lease Cost and Other Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/LeasesLeaseCostandOtherInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Lease Cost and Other Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433420 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Operating Lease Liability Maturity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/LeasesScheduleofOperatingLeaseLiabilityMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Operating Lease Liability Maturity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436421 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Components of Borrowings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsComponentsofBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Components of Borrowings (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437422 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Long-Term Debt Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsLongTermDebtMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Long-Term Debt Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438423 - Disclosure - Borrowings - North American Revolving Credit and Term Loan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsNorthAmericanRevolvingCreditandTermLoanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - North American Revolving Credit and Term Loan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2439424 - Disclosure - Borrowings - European Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsEuropeanRevolvingCreditFacilityandTermLoanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - European Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440425 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Colombian Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsColombianRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Colombian Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2441426 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Convertible Senior Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsConvertibleSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Convertible Senior Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442427 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Senior Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Senior Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443428 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Balances of Liability and Equity Components (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsBalancesofLiabilityandEquityComponentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Balances of Liability and Equity Components (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2444429 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Interest Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/BorrowingsInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Interest Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2447430 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Derivatives by Balance Sheet Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofDerivativesbyBalanceSheetLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Schedule of Derivatives by Balance Sheet Location (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2448431 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/DerivativesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449432 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Effects of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofEffectsofDerivativesDesignatedasCashFlowHedgingInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Schedule of Effects of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2450433 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Effects of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofEffectsofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Schedule of Effects of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453434 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements And Disclosures - Financial Instruments Not Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndDisclosuresFinancialInstrumentsNotRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements And Disclosures - Financial Instruments Not Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454435 - Disclosure - Fair Value Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - Financial Instruments Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueFairValueMeasurementsandDisclosuresFinancialInstrumentsRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - Financial Instruments Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455436 - Disclosure - Fair Value - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/FairValueNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2458437 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossReclassificationsoutofAOCIDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2459438 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI by Component (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossAOCIbyComponentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI by Component (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2462439 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2464440 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Disclosures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Disclosures (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2466441 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="praa-20200930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - praa-20200930.htm</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - praa-20200930.htm</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="praa-20200930.htm">praa-20200930.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit10120200930.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit311-20200930.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit312-20200930.htm</File>
    <File>exhibit321-20200930.htm</File>
    <File>praa-20200930.xsd</File>
    <File>praa-20200930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>praa-20200930_def.xml</File>
    <File>praa-20200930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>praa-20200930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>praa-20200930_g1.jpg</File>
    <File>praa-20200930_g2.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
