The aggregate fair value of assets needed to immediately settle the derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features if the credit-risk-related contingent features were triggered at the end of the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-Subparagraph (f)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4H

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future undiscounted payments that could be required under the credit derivative, before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4K
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4K

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditDerivativeMaximumExposureUndiscounted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements offset against derivative assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 815
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480463/815-10-45-5

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 20
-Topic 210
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483466/210-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated value of gains (losses), net anticipated to be transferred in the future from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480870/815-30-50-6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate fair value amounts of derivative instruments that contain credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period. For nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the fair value amounts are the carrying value of the nonderivative hedging instrument, including the adjustment for the foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on that instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4H

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeNetLiabilityPositionAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period remaining until the derivative contract matures, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeRemainingMaturity1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (a)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 220
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-10A

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-11

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-10A

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-10A

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 9
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481839/830-10-45-9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 35
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482014/830-20-35-3

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481694/830-30-45-12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	wpc_ThirdPartyAxis=us-gaap_IndividualMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=wpc_NonOperatingIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Risk Management and Use of Derivative Financial Instruments - Narratives (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of Derivative Instruments
Net collateral posted for derivatives	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Derivative, remaining maturity (in years)	59 months		59 months
Total credit exposure on derivatives	$ 16,700,000		$ 16,700,000
Derivatives, net liability position	800,000		800,000		5,900,000
Aggregate termination value for immediate settlement	800,000		800,000		$ 6,000,000.0
Other comprehensive income foreign currency (losses) gains	37,400,000	$ 2,100,000	125,800,000	$ (69,400,000)
Individual Counterparty
Summary of Derivative Instruments
Total credit exposure on derivatives	$ 3,000,000.0		3,000,000.0
Interest expense
Summary of Derivative Instruments
Estimated amount reclassified from OCI to expense (gain)			(500,000)
Non-operating income
Summary of Derivative Instruments
Estimated amount reclassified from OCI to expense (gain)			$ (10,100,000)