Risk Management and Use of Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 8) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	$ 98,786	$ 88,991	$ 199,936	$ 175,717
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and after gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	46,625	21,226	63,625	43,924
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,640)	(7,932)	(15,317)	(15,219)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 - Global	36,321	12,803	44,947	27,627
Assets and Liabilities
Long-lived assets	3,641,023		3,641,023		3,562,095
Non-recourse debt	1,940,848		1,940,848		1,915,601
Domestic
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	68,920	63,988	139,978	125,851
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and after gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	34,241	11,862	42,842	23,721
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,443)	(7,695)	(14,966)	(14,818)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 - Global	26,296	2,594	26,588	7,389
Assets and Liabilities
Long-lived assets	2,405,834		2,405,834		2,195,465
Non-recourse debt	1,331,765		1,331,765		1,319,094
Italy
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	7,859	7,859	15,950	15,275
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and after gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	1,922	1,922	3,885	3,859
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to CPA:17 - Global	1,922	1,922	3,823	3,858
Assets and Liabilities
Long-lived assets	337,303		337,303		343,876
Non-recourse debt	220,942		220,942		223,937
International
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	22,007	17,144	44,008	34,591
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and after gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	10,462	7,442	16,898	16,344
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(197)	(237)	(351)	(401)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 - Global	8,103	8,287	14,536	16,380
Assets and Liabilities
Long-lived assets	897,886		897,886		1,022,754
Non-recourse debt	$ 388,141		$ 388,141		$ 372,570