Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Purchase of Redeemable Noncontrollling Interest

No definition available.

Name:	gpn_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalPurchaseofRedeemableNoncontrolllingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Joint Venture, Ownership Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gpn_JointVentureOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Countries in which Joint Venture Operates

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gpn_NumberofCountriesinwhichJointVentureOperates
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Customers Acquired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gpn_NumberofCustomersAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Services Agreement, Term

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gpn_ServicesAgreementTerm
Namespace Prefix:	gpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of direct costs of the business combination including legal, accounting, and other costs incurred to consummate the business acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6578-128477

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6613-128477

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, 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_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period for redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with other investments held by the entity for investment purposes not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the deconsolidation of a previously consolidated subsidiary or sale of an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsAsiaPacificPhilippinesIncorporatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_ComerciaGlobalPaymentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_CommerciaGlobalPaymentsBrazilMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsAsiaPacificLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_RealexPaymentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_EzidebitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_FidelityInformationServicesFISCheckGamingGuaranteebusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsAsiaPacificPhilippinesIncorporatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_PayProsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_BancaCivicaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=gpn_AcceleratePaymentTechnologiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=gpn_ContractbasedandCustomerrelatedFinitelivedIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_CustomerRelatedIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_ContractBasedIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CurrencyAxis=currency_EUR
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CurrencyAxis=currency_USD
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsandCaixaBankS.A.JointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsCaixaBankS.A.andErsteGroupBankAGJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_GlobalPaymentsandCaixaBankS.A.JointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=gpn_ErsteGroupMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions, AUD in Millions															12 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2015 USD ($) Country	Jul. 27, 2015 EUR (€) Country	Mar. 25, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2015 EUR (€)	Dec. 17, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2014 AUD	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 04, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 12, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 12, 2012 EUR (€)	Oct. 01, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 26, 2012 USD ($)	May. 31, 2015 USD ($)	May. 31, 2014 USD ($)	May. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2015 customer
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill															$ 1,491,833	$ 1,337,285	$ 1,044,222
Net proceeds from sales of investments and business															10,597	3,607	1,227
Remaining noncontrolling interest purchased by parent															0	0	242,000
Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent					51.00%
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners					49.00%
Comercia Global Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners										49.00%
Commercia Global Payments Brazil
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sales of investments and business										$ 2,100
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners										50.00%
Payments to Acquire Other Investments															$ 11,400
Global Payments Asia Pacific Limited
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Remaining noncontrolling interest purchased by parent														$ 242,000
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners														44.00%
Reduction accounted for in equity														$ 96,000
Interest expense																$ 3,300	$ 8,400
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															2 years
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															26 years
Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired			95.00%
Business acquisition, transaction costs			$ 1,200
Goodwill			67,220
Ezidebit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired						100.00%
Cash paid						$ 266,000	AUD 302.6
Goodwill						$ 192,225
Fidelity Information Services’ (FIS) Check Gaming Guarantee business
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid								$ 237,500
Number of Customers Acquired \| customer																		260
Services Agreement, Term								10 years
Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid					$ 3,600
PayPros
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired									100.00%
Cash paid									$ 426,500
Goodwill									$ 270,878
Banca Civica
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired											100.00%
Goodwill											$ 4,445
Consideration transferred											$ 22,900	€ 17.5
Accelerated Payment Technologies (United States)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of controlling financial interest acquired													100.00%
Cash paid													$ 410,200
Goodwill													$ 308,518
Contract-based and customer-related finite-lived intangible assets \| Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															16 years
Contract-based and customer-related finite-lived intangible assets \| Ezidebit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															15 years
Trade names \| Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															7 years
Trade names \| Ezidebit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															5 years
Customer-related intangible assets \| PayPros
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life									13 years
Customer-related intangible assets \| Banca Civica
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															10 years
Customer-related intangible assets \| Accelerated Payment Technologies (United States)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															12 years
Contract-based intangible assets \| PayPros
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															13 years
Contract-based intangible assets \| Banca Civica
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															18 years
Contract-based intangible assets \| Accelerated Payment Technologies (United States) \| Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															1 year 6 months
Contract-based intangible assets \| Accelerated Payment Technologies (United States) \| Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															10 years
Technology-based intangible assets \| Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															10 years
Technology-based intangible assets \| Ezidebit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															15 years
Technology-based intangible assets \| PayPros
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															7 years
Technology-based intangible assets \| Accelerated Payment Technologies (United States)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life															8 years
Euro \| Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid \| €				€ 110.2
United States of America, Dollars \| Realex Payments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid			$ 118,900
Subsequent Event
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of countries in which joint venture operates \| Country	3	3
Subsequent Event \| Global Payments and Caixa Bank Joint Venture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of joint venture	51.00%	51.00%
Subsequent Event \| Global Payments, CaixaBank S.A., and Erste Group Bank AG Joint Venture \| Global Payments and Caixa Bank Joint Venture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of joint venture	51.00%	51.00%
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture	$ 33,000	€ 30.0
Subsequent Event \| Global Payments, CaixaBank S.A., and Erste Group Bank AG Joint Venture \| Erste Group
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of joint venture	49.00%	49.00%