Cover	12 Months Ended
Cover	Dec. 31, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	DEF 14A
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ATLANTICUS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0001464343

Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Pure in Thousands

12 Months Ended

48 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2024

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2023

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2022

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2025

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table

Pay Versus Performance Table

The table below sets forth additional compensation information for our NEOs, calculated in accordance with SEC regulations, for fiscal years 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

													Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On:
Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (a)				Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (b)				Average Summary Compensation Table total for Non-PEO NEOs (c)		Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (d)		Atlanticus Total Shareholder Return (e)		Peer Group Total Shareholder Return (f)		Net Income ($thousands) (g)		Company Selected Measure (CSM) - Total Revenue ($thousands) (h)
	First PEO		Second PEO		First PEO		Second PEO
2025	$	2,099,003		N/A	$	2,629,363		N/A	$	2,154,165	$	2,333,976	$	271.82	$	158.24	$	120,609	$	1,968,399
2024	$	1,812,375		N/A	$	2,904,947		N/A	$	1,871,831	$	2,236,120	$	226.47	$	137.11	$	110,106	$	1,311,444
2023	$	2,049,906		N/A	$	2,594,009		N/A	$	1,868,381	$	2,045,970	$	157.00	$	109.23	$	101,954	$	1,155,876
2022	$	2,189,624		N/A	$	398,008		N/A	$	2,144,495	$	2,018,996	$	106.37	$	96.53	$	134,612	$	1,046,913
2021	$	1,672,241	$	1,652,267	$	1,719,163	$	18,083,032	$	1,462,683	$	6,083,605	$	289.57	$	127.24	$	177,789	$	748,056

Column (a). Reflects compensation amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table. For 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the PEO was Jeffrey A. Howard. For 2021, the first PEO was David G. Hanna and the second PEO was Jeffrey A. Howard.

Column (b). Reflects the respective amounts set forth in column (a) of the table above, adjusted as set forth in the table below, as determined in accordance with SEC rules and computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. The dollar amounts reflected in column (b) of the table above do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned, realized, or received by the PEO during the applicable year, with a significant portion of the value subject to forfeiture in the event that the underlying vesting conditions with respect to the equity awards are not achieved. For information regarding the decisions made by our Compensation Committee in regard to the PEO’s compensation for each fiscal year, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive and Director Compensation—Executive Compensation.”

PEO Total Compensation Amount

$ 2,099,003

$ 1,812,375

$ 2,049,906

$ 2,189,624

PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount

$ 2,629,363

2,904,947

2,594,009

398,008

$ 18,083,032

Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote

Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO		Less: Summary Compensation Table Total Equity (Stock Awards + Option Awards)		Plus: Fair Value as of Fiscal Year-End of Stock and Option Awards Granted in Covered Year		Plus: Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock and Option Awards From Prior Years			Plus: Change in Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards from Prior Years that Vested in the Covered Year ($)			Less: Fair Value at Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock and Option Awards Forfeited during the Covered Year ($)		Compensation Actually Paid to PEO
2025	$	2,099,003	$	238,503	$	311,384	$	224,126		$	233,352			—	$	2,629,363
2024	$	1,812,375	$	477,025	$	865,315	$	435,330		$	268,952			—	$	2,904,947
2023	$	2,049,906	$	715,006	$	1,102,443	$	157,783		$	(1,117	)		—	$	2,594,009
2022	$	2,189,624	$	860,049	$	494,368	$	(14,280	)	$	(1,411,655	)		—	$	398,008
2021
First PEO	$	1,672,241		—		—	$	28,902		$	18,020			—	$	1,719,163
2021
Second PEO	$	1,652,267		—		—	$	9,078,015		$	7,352,750			—	$	18,083,032

Column (c). Reflects compensation amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table. The following non-PEO NEOs are included in the average amounts shown:

2025: David G. Hanna and William R. McCamey

2024: David G. Hanna and William R. McCamey

2023: David G. Hanna and William R. McCamey

2022: David G. Hanna and William R. McCamey

2021: William R. McCamey

Column (d). Reflects the respective amounts set forth in column (c) of the table above, adjusted as set forth in the table below, as determined in accordance with SEC rules and computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. The dollar amounts reflected in column (d) of the table above do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned, realized, or received by the non-PEO NEOs during the applicable year, with a significant portion of the value subject to forfeiture in the event that the underlying vesting conditions with respect to the equity awards are not achieved. For information regarding the decisions made by our Compensation Committee in regard to the PEO’s compensation for each fiscal year, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive and Director Compensation—Executive Compensation.”

Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount

$ 2,154,165

1,871,831

1,868,381

2,144,495

1,462,683

Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount

$ 2,333,976

2,236,120

2,045,970

2,018,996

6,083,605

Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote

Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs		Less: Summary Compensation Table Total Equity (Stock Awards + Option Awards)		Plus: Fair Value as of Fiscal Year-End of Stock and Option Awards Granted in Covered Year		Plus: Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock and Option Awards From Prior Years			Plus: Change in Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards from Prior Years that Vested in the Covered Year ($)			Less: Fair Value at Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock and Option Awards Forfeited during the Covered Year ($)		Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs
2025	$	2,154,165	$	83,407	$	108,894	$	78,665		$	75,660			—	$	2,333,976
2024	$	1,871,831	$	166,512	$	302,049	$	143,741		$	85,011			—	$	2,236,120
2023	$	1,868,381	$	250,010	$	385,482	$	42,411		$	(294	)		—	$	2,045,970
2022	$	2,144,495	$	230,020	$	132,219	$	(14,280	)	$	(13,418	)		—	$	2,018,996
2021	$	1,462,683		—		—	$	28,902		$	4,592,020			—	$	6,083,605

Column (e). For the relevant fiscal year, represents the cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of Atlanticus through December 31 of the applicable fiscal year, assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2020 and reinvestment of dividends.

Column (f). For the relevant fiscal year, represents the cumulative TSR of the Nasdaq Financial 100 (“Peer Group TSR”) through December 31 of the applicable fiscal year, assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2020 and reinvestment of dividends.

Column (g). Reflects Net Income in Atlanticus’ Consolidated Statements of Income included in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Column (h). Company Selected Measure (“CSM”) is Total Revenue from Atlanticus’ Consolidated Statements of Income included in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and TSR

The following graph illustrates the relationship between compensation actually paid to our PEO and other NEOs, the cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) on $100 investing in Atlanticus’ Common Stock at the close of the market on December 31, 2020, with dividends reinvested on the date paid through December 31, 2025, and the cumulative Peer Group TSR. The Peer Group TSR is calculated in a similar manner to Atlanticus’ TSR.

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income

The following graph illustrates the relationship between compensation actually paid to our PEO and other NEOs and Atlanticus’ Net Income in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Total Revenue

The following graph illustrates the relationship between compensation actually paid to our PEO and other NEOs and Atlanticus’ Total Revenue in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Tabular List, Table

Most Important Performance Measures

We believe the following performance measures represent the most important financial performance measures used by our Compensation Committee to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025:

Total Revenue

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders Per Common Share – Diluted

Total Assets

Total Shareholder Return Amount

$ 271.82

226.47

157

106.37

289.57

Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount

158.24

137.11

109.23

96.53

127.24

Net Income (Loss)

$ 120,609,000

$ 110,106,000

$ 101,954,000

$ 134,612,000

$ 177,789,000

Company Selected Measure Amount

1,968,399

1,311,444

1,155,876

1,046,913

748,056

PEO Name

Jeffrey A. Howard

Measure:: 1

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Name

Total Revenue

Measure:: 2

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Name

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders Per Common Share – Diluted

Measure:: 3

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Name

Total Assets

First PEO [Member]

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

PEO Total Compensation Amount

$ 2,099,003

$ 1,812,375

$ 2,049,906

$ 2,189,624

$ 1,672,241

PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount

2,629,363

2,904,947

2,594,009

398,008

$ 1,719,163

PEO Name

David G. Hanna

Second PEO [Member]

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

PEO Total Compensation Amount

$ 1,652,267

PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount

$ 18,083,032

PEO Name

Jeffrey A. Howard

PEO | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

238,503

477,025

715,006

860,049

PEO | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

311,384

865,315

1,102,443

494,368

PEO | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

224,126

435,330

157,783

(14,280)

PEO | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

233,352

268,952

(1,117)

(1,411,655)

PEO | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

PEO | First PEO [Member] | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

$ 0

PEO | First PEO [Member] | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

PEO | First PEO [Member] | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

28,902

PEO | First PEO [Member] | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

18,020

PEO | First PEO [Member] | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

PEO | Second PEO [Member] | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

PEO | Second PEO [Member] | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

PEO | Second PEO [Member] | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

9,078,015

PEO | Second PEO [Member] | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

7,352,750

PEO | Second PEO [Member] | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

Non-PEO NEO | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

83,407

166,512

250,010

230,020

Non-PEO NEO | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

108,894

302,049

385,482

132,219

Non-PEO NEO | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

78,665

143,741

42,411

(14,280)

28,902

Non-PEO NEO | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

75,660

85,011

(294)

(13,418)

4,592,020

Non-PEO NEO | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Adjustment to Compensation, Amount

$ 0

Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation	12 Months Ended
Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation	Dec. 31, 2025
Restatement Determination Date:: 2025-12-31
Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery
Erroneous Compensation Analysis	Compensation Recovery Policies. We have “clawback” policies providing for the adjustment or recovery of compensation in certain circumstances. Our Clawback Policy is applicable to executive officers, was filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, is structured to comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and became effective on October 2, 2023. Under this policy, if we are required to restate our financial statements, we are generally required to recover reasonably promptly from any current or former executive officer any incentive-based compensation that would not have been paid but for the incorrect financial statements. The recovery requirement applies to incentive-based compensation received during the three fiscal years preceding the restatement. Incentive-based compensation is any compensation that is granted, earned or vested, based on the achievement of a financial reporting measure.

Award Timing Disclosure	12 Months Ended
Award Timing Disclosure	Dec. 31, 2025
Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items]
Award Timing MNPI Disclosure	The Compensation Committee and senior management monitor Atlanticus’ equity grant practices to evaluate whether such policies comply with governing regulations and are consistent with good corporate practices. When making regular annual equity grants, including stock options, the Compensation Committee’s practice is to approve them at its meeting in mid-March of each year following the filing of Atlanticus’ Form 10-K for the last fiscal year, as part of the annual compensation review. In addition, the Compensation Committee may make grants at other times during the year for new hires or for other reasons, including for job promotions and retention purposes. Given the Compensation Committee’s regular meeting schedule, the proximity of any awards to other significant corporate events is coincidental. We do not time our equity awards to take advantage of the release of earnings or other major announcements by us or market conditions.
Award Timing Predetermined	false
Award Timing MNPI Considered	false
MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value	false
Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table	Policies and Practices Related to the Timing of Grants of Certain Equity Awards. The Compensation Committee and senior management monitor Atlanticus’ equity grant practices to evaluate whether such policies comply with governing regulations and are consistent with good corporate practices. When making regular annual equity grants, including stock options, the Compensation Committee’s practice is to approve them at its meeting in mid-March of each year following the filing of Atlanticus’ Form 10-K for the last fiscal year, as part of the annual compensation review. In addition, the Compensation Committee may make grants at other times during the year for new hires or for other reasons, including for job promotions and retention purposes. Given the Compensation Committee’s regular meeting schedule, the proximity of any awards to other significant corporate events is coincidental. We do not time our equity awards to take advantage of the release of earnings or other major announcements by us or market conditions.

Insider Trading Policies and Procedures	12 Months Ended
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures	Dec. 31, 2025
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items]
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted	true