Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate assets
Land	$ 639,626		$ 417,368
Buildings and improvements	4,667,150		3,550,674
Construction in progress and other	47,695		53,648
Intangible lease assets	443,134		296,176
Real estate held for sale	146,615
Net investment in direct financing leases	698,727		648,102
Mortgage loans	1,778,316		1,060,400
Gross investment in real estate assets	8,421,263		6,026,368
Accumulated depreciation	(406,855)	[1]	(292,786)
Accumulated amortization	(48,857)		(32,339)
Net investment in real estate assets	7,965,551		5,701,243
Cash and cash equivalents	171,472		83,240
Interest and rent receivables	78,970		57,698
Straight-line rent receivables	185,592		116,861
Other loans	150,209		155,721
Other assets	468,494		303,773
Total Assets	9,020,288		6,418,536
Liabilities
Debt, net	4,898,667		2,909,341
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	211,188		207,711
Deferred revenue	18,178		19,933
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	57,050		28,323
Total Liabilities	5,185,083		3,165,308
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity / Capital
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000 shares; no shares outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 500,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 364,424 shares at December 31, 2017 and 320,514 shares at December 31, 2016	364		321
Limited Partners:
Additional paid-in capital	4,333,027		3,775,336
Distributions in excess of net income	(485,932)		(434,114)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,049)		(92,903)
Treasury shares, at cost	(777)		(262)
Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity (MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. capital)	3,820,633		3,248,378
Non-controlling interests	14,572		4,850
Total Equity / Capital	3,835,205		3,253,228
Total Liabilities and Equity / Capital	9,020,288		6,418,536
Common Units [Member]
Limited Partners:
Total Equity / Capital	364		321
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land	639,626		417,368
Buildings and improvements	4,667,150		3,550,674
Construction in progress and other	47,695		53,648
Intangible lease assets	443,134		296,176
Real estate held for sale	146,615
Net investment in direct financing leases	698,727		648,102
Mortgage loans	1,778,316		1,060,400
Gross investment in real estate assets	8,421,263		6,026,368
Accumulated depreciation	(406,855)		(292,786)
Accumulated amortization	(48,857)		(32,339)
Net investment in real estate assets	7,965,551		5,701,243
Cash and cash equivalents	171,472		83,240
Interest and rent receivables	78,970		57,698
Straight-line rent receivables	185,592		116,861
Other loans	150,209		155,721
Other assets	468,494		303,773
Total Assets	9,020,288		6,418,536
Liabilities
Debt, net	4,898,667		2,909,341
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	121,465		132,868
Deferred revenue	18,178		19,933
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	57,050		28,323
Payable due to Medical Properties Trust, Inc.	89,333		74,453
Total Liabilities	5,184,693		3,164,918
Commitments and Contingencies
Limited Partners:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,049)		(92,903)
Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity (MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. capital)	3,821,023		3,248,768
Non-controlling interests	14,572		4,850
Total Equity / Capital	3,835,595		3,253,618
Total Liabilities and Equity / Capital	9,020,288		6,418,536
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Equity / Capital
General partner - issued and outstanding - 3,644 units at December 31, 2017 and 3,204 units at December 31, 2016	38,489		33,436
Limited Partners:
Total Equity / Capital	38,489		33,436
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Limited Partners:
Limited Partners Capital	$ 3,808,583		$ 3,308,235

[1] Includes accumulated depreciation in real estate held for sale of $0.5 million. Excludes accumulated amortization related to intangible lease assets that are included in real estate held for sale of $0.1 million for 2017.