Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 29,967us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 18,830us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of tax:
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments	513	1,523
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation	(22,649)	214
Other comprehensive (loss) gain, net of tax	(22,136)	1,737
Comprehensive income	7,831	20,567
Comprehensive (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(542)	4,350
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation	1,582	148
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,040	4,498
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 8,871us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 25,065us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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