Segment Reporting (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	$ 107,226	$ 98,750
Operating expenses	(56,205)	(54,108)
Interest expense	(24,611)	(22,025)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	5,712	(179)
Provision for income taxes	(1,903)	(791)
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	25,398	2,197
Net income	(10,194)	(9,264)
Income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	45,423	14,580
Operating Segments | Net Lease
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	93,405	85,403
Operating expenses	(36,218)	(32,800)
Interest expense	(22,133)	(20,448)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	2,756	3,746
Provision for income taxes	(1,775)	(544)
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	0	2,197
Net income	(3,526)	(3,200)
Income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	32,509	34,354
Operating Segments | Self-Storage
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	12,061	11,048
Operating expenses	(7,862)	(8,121)
Interest expense	(1,892)	(1,877)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	(2,932)	(478)
Provision for income taxes	(63)	(46)
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	25,398	0
Income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	24,710	526
Operating Segments | All Other
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	1,760	2,299
Operating expenses	(35)	(1,109)
Interest expense	(3)	373
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	(95)	309
Provision for income taxes	(4)	(37)
Income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	1,623	1,835
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Net income	(6,668)	(6,064)
Unallocated Corporate Overhead	$ (6,751)	$ (16,071)