Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - AOCI by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,194,862	$ 1,150,857	$ 1,227,013	$ 1,123,969
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	31,169	(54,245)	(57,569)	(64,458)
Reclassifications	2,483	413	5,027	611
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	33,652	(53,832)	(52,542)	(63,847)
Ending balance	1,272,172	1,146,313	1,272,172	1,146,313
Deferred taxes for unrealized losses from cash flow hedges	500	(2,000)	10,200	6,400
Debt Securities Available-for-sale
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	177	(1)	(44)	(83)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(30)	(1)	191	81
Reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	(30)	(1)	191	81
Ending balance	147	(2)	147	(2)
Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(37,409)	(13,673)	(13,088)	44
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	(1,089)	(6,245)	(27,954)	(20,160)
Reclassifications	2,483	413	5,027	611
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	1,394	(5,832)	(22,927)	(19,549)
Ending balance	(36,015)	(19,505)	(36,015)	(19,505)
Currency Translation Adjustments
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(309,980)	(238,450)	(247,886)	(242,070)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net	32,288	(47,999)	(29,806)	(44,379)
Reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to PRA Group, Inc.	32,288	(47,999)	(29,806)	(44,379)
Ending balance	(277,692)	(286,449)	(277,692)	(286,449)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(347,212)	(252,124)	(261,018)	(242,109)
Ending balance	$ (313,560)	$ (305,956)	$ (313,560)	$ (305,956)