Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Shareholders' equity: Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost (shares of 8,704 and 6,798 at 2011 and 2010, respectively) Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury stock (shares of 6798 and 3,680 at 2010 and 2009, respectively) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock $0.10 par value. Authorized 600,000 shares; 201,609 and 201,326 issued at 2011 and 2010, respectively; 192,905 and 194,528 outstanding at 2011 and 2010, respectively Liabilities Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Total liabilities Liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Obligations under capital leases, excluding current portion Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income tax liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Long-term debt, excluding current portion Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Accrued salaries and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Employee-related Liabilities, Current Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of obligations under capital leases Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Current portion of long-term debt Assets Assets [Abstract] Total assets Assets Contract acquisition costs Net Contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $272.3 million and $260.7 million at 2011 and 2010, respectively Contract acquisition costs, net. Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets. Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and billing adjustments of $4.5 million and $4.5 million at 2011 and 2010, respectively Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred income tax assets Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $331.4 million and $317.4 million at 2011 and 2010, respectively Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Other assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $28.9 and $26.9 million at 2011 and 2010, respectively Equity Method Investments Equity investments Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Goodwill Goodwill Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid on common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repurchase of common stock Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Principal payments on long-term debt borrowings and capital lease obligations Principal payments on long-term debt borrowings and capital lease obligations Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities, Total Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds from exercise of stock options Supplemental cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes paid, net Additions To Contract Acquisition costs Additions to contract acquisition costs Additions to contract acquisition costs. Purchases of property and equipment, net Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment, net Additions to licensed computer software from vendors Payments to Acquire Software Additions to internally developed computer software Payments to Develop Software Additions to contract acquisition costs Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Charges for transaction processing provisions Charges for transaction processing provisions Charges for transaction processing provisions. Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Net loss (gain) on foreign currency Net gain (loss) on foreign currency Amortization of debt issuance costs Amortization of Financing Costs Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation (Note?16) Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements Provisions for (recoveries of) bad debt expenses and billing adjustments Provision for Doubtful Accounts Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Income from continuing operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in income of equity investments, net of tax Equity in income of equity investments, net of tax Equity in income of equity investments, net of tax Income from continuing operations before equity in income of equity investments Income from continuing operations before equity in income of equity investments Income from continuing operations before equity in income of equity investments. Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of equity investments Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating expenses Nonoperating income (expenses) Operating income Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic earnings per share (EPS) (Note 13): Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Diluted EPS: Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Loss from discontinued operations to TSYS common shareholders Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income from continuing operations to TSYS common shareholders Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income attributable to TSYS common shareholders Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Loss from discontinued operations to TSYS common shareholders Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Income from continuing operations to TSYS common shareholders Amounts attributable to TSYS common shareholders: Income Amounts Attributable to Parent, Disclosures [Abstract] Loss from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting and Major Customers Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Business Combinations Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events. Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Allowance for doubtful accounts and billing adjustments Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Total Capitalized Computer Software, Net Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Ending Balance Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Beginning Balance Capitalized Computer Software, Net, Total Computer software, net of accumulated amortization of $517.7 million and $497.6 million at 2011 and 2010, respectively Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment, net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total Loss on disposal of equipment, net Accrued salaries and employee benefits Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Interest Paid Interest paid Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets & liabilities: Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Discontinued operations. Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Proceeds from Dividends Received Dividends received from equity investments Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents. Prepaid expenses other current assets and other assets Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other long-term assets Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets. Other current liabilities and other liabilities Other current liabilities and other long term liabilities Other current liabilities and other liabilities. Sales Revenue, Net Total revenues Total revenues Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Other Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary Cost of Revenue Cost of services Cost of Revenue, Total Cost of services Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses Other Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Other intangible assets accumulated amortization. Other intangible assets accumulated amortization Operating Expenses Total operating expense Total operating Expense Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Purchase of noncontrolling interest Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets Proceeds from sale of tradenames Asset Impairment Charges Asset Impairment Charges, Total Asset impairments Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-term Debt Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Long-term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent [Abstract] Basis Of Presentation Text Block Basis of Presentation Basis of presentation. Fair Value Measurement [Abstract] Fair value measurement. Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Segment Reporting And Major Customers [Abstract] Segment reporting and major customers. Legal Proceedings [Abstract] Legal proceedings. Legal Costs, Policy [Text Block] Legal Proceedings Guarantees and Indemnifications [Abstract] Guarantees and indemnifications. Guarantees And Indemnifications Text Block Guarantees and Indemnifications Guarantees and indemnifications. Business Combinations [Abstract] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block] Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Capitalized Computer Software, Accumulated Amortization Accumulated amortization on computer software Supplementary Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplementary cash flow information. Supplementary Cash Flow Information Text Block Supplementary cash flow information. Supplementary Cash Flow Information Accumulated Amortization On Contract Acquisition Costs Accumulated Amortization On Contract Acquisition Costs. Accumulated Amortization On Contract Acquisition Costs Supplementary Balance Sheet Information [Abstract] Supplementary Balance Sheet Information. Supplementary Balance Sheet Information [Text Block] Supplementary Balance Sheet Information. Supplementary Balance Sheet Information