Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37390
Entity Registrant Name	Global Net Lease, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	45-2771978
Entity Address, Address Line One	650 Fifth Ave., 30th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10019
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	415-6500
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Shares, Shares Outstanding		89,482,566
Entity Central Index Key	0001526113
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	GNL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
7.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	7.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	GNL PR A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	GNL PR B
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true