<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.22.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>268</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>270</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>73</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001002 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialCondition</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002003 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialConditionParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101101 - Disclosure - Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OwnershipDescriptionofBusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103102 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107103 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113104 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118105 - Disclosure - Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/InvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122106 - Disclosure - Other Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OtherAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125107 - Disclosure - Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/Borrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2135108 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/VariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2136109 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2139110 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2141111 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143112 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographic Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographic Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2146113 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillandIdentifiableIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OwnershipDescriptionofBusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OwnershipDescriptionofBusinessandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308302 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314303 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319304 - Disclosure - Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/InvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/InvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323305 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OtherAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OtherAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2326306 - Disclosure - Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/Borrowings</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2337307 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2344308 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2347309 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillandIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillandIdentifiableIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405401 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Table (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Table (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Instruments Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Instruments Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Contingent Consideration Roll Forward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsContingentConsiderationRollForwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Contingent Consideration Roll Forward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411405 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Instruments Not Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsNotRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Instruments Not Required to be Carried at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415407 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416408 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417409 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Effects of Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Effects of Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420410 - Disclosure - Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Change in the Balance of the Investment in Receivable Portfolios (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/InvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosNetChangeintheBalanceoftheInvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Change in the Balance of the Investment in Receivable Portfolios (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421411 - Disclosure - Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Establishment of Negative Allowance (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/InvestmentinReceivablePortfoliosNetEstablishmentofNegativeAllowanceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Establishment of Negative Allowance (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424412 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OtherAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/OtherAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427413 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Consolidated Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Table and Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConsolidatedDebtandCapitalLeaseObligationsTableandNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Consolidated Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Table and Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428414 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Global Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsGlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Global Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429415 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Encore Private Placement Notes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsEncorePrivatePlacementNotesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Encore Private Placement Notes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430416 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Senior Secured Notes - Table and Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesTableandNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Senior Secured Notes - Table and Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431417 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Encore Convertible Notes and Exchangeable Notes - Table and Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsEncoreConvertibleNotesandExchangeableNotesTableandNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Encore Convertible Notes and Exchangeable Notes - Table and Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432418 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Encore Convertible Notes and Exchangeable Notes - Key Features - Table and Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsEncoreConvertibleNotesandExchangeableNotesKeyFeaturesTableandNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Encore Convertible Notes and Exchangeable Notes - Key Features - Table and Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433419 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Interest Expense Related to Convertible and Exchangeable Notes -Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsInterestExpenseRelatedtoConvertibleandExchangeableNotesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Interest Expense Related to Convertible and Exchangeable Notes -Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434420 - Disclosure - Borrowings - Cabot Securitisation Senior Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsCabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings - Cabot Securitisation Senior Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438421 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440422 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442423 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445424 - Disclosure - Segment and Geographic Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment and Geographic Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2448425 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Activity in Goodwill Balance (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillandIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsActivityinGoodwillBalanceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Activity in Goodwill Balance (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ecpg-20220630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449426 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillandIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="ecpg-20220630.htm">ecpg-20220630.htm</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630.xsd</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630_def.xml</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630ex101nonxempl.htm</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630ex311.htm</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630ex312.htm</File>
    <File>ecpg-20220630ex321.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="800">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="30">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
