Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Lease revenue:
Rental income									$ 254,658	$ 231,652	$ 178,290
Interest income from direct financing leases									54,517	53,736	52,608
Total lease revenues									309,175	285,388	230,898
Other real estate income									50,008	49,076	44,613
Other operating income									31,635	21,872	5,188
Other interest income									5,888	6,436	9,278
Gross Revenues	98,784	97,987	98,786	101,149	95,683	91,209	89,082	86,798	396,706	362,772	289,977
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization									102,167	93,742	70,045
Property expenses									66,402	52,242	31,343
Other real estate expenses									24,665	33,548	31,426
General and administrative									22,253	20,416	14,879
Acquisition expenses									5,169	16,884	14,834
Impairment charges									570	0	2,019
Operating Expenses, Total	57,152	52,186	53,365	58,523	60,393	58,649	49,038	48,752	221,226	216,832	164,546
Other Income and Expenses
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments in real estate									24,073	(9,500)	9,757
Other income and (expenses)									(2,172)	13,186	5,375
Interest expense									(93,001)	(88,656)	(72,271)
Nonoperating income expense									(71,100)	(84,970)	(57,139)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and gain on sale of real estate									104,380	60,970	68,292
Provision for income taxes									(10,725)	(1,467)	(1,213)
Income from continuing operations before gain on sale of real estate, net of tax									93,655	59,503	67,079
Discontinued Operations
Income from operations of discontinued properties, net of tax									0	483	1,183
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax									0	7,987	740
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax									0	(983)	0
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	7,487	1,923
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax									13,338	659	1,092
Net Income	28,787	19,482	42,246	16,478	11,419	13,788	21,256	21,186	106,993	67,649	70,094
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (inclusive of Available Cash Distributions to a related party of $20,427, $16,899, and $14,620, respectively)	(8,332)	(9,193)	(7,640)	(7,677)	(7,221)	(6,508)	(7,926)	(7,280)	(32,842)	(28,935)	(26,498)
Net Income Attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	20,455	10,289		8,801	4,198	7,280		13,906	74,151	38,714	43,596
Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to CPA®:17 – Global									$ 0.23	$ 0.10	$ 0.16
Income from discontinued operations attributable to CPA®:17 – Global									$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	$ 0.06		$ 0.11	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.02	$ 0.04		$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.17
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding									324,117,508	313,010,828	249,283,354
Amounts Attributable To CPA:17 - Global
Income from continuing operations, net of tax									74,151	31,227	41,673
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	7,487	1,923
Net Income Attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	$ 20,455	$ 10,289		$ 8,801	$ 4,198	$ 7,280		$ 13,906	$ 74,151	$ 38,714	$ 43,596