The tables below illustrate all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and under “Sales Charges” on page 215 of the fund’s prospectus and “Alternative Purchase Arrangements” on page 103 of the fund’s statement of additional information.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

30.00%

Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block]

rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock

Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the Fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions (i) within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund; and (ii) on purchases on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. The maximum deferred sales charge is imposed on Class B Shares redeemed during the first year; thereafter, it decreases 1% annually to 2% during the fourth and fifth years and to 0% after the fifth year. The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. In the case of Class B Shares, it assumes that your shares are converted to Class A Shares after eight years. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments, Risks and Performance

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The fund offers exposure to the equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) market utilizing a Growth at a Reasonable Price style with macroeconomic and fundamental security analysis designed to identify the most attractive investment candidates. The subadviser believes the value of a REIT extends beyond the value of the underlying real estate and that through fundamental research, it can uncover and exploit inefficiencies in the market.

Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in publicly-traded REITs and companies that are principally engaged in the real estate industry. The fund concentrates its assets in the real estate industry.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

The fund concentrates its assets in the real estate industry.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The fund may not achieve its objective, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The value of the fund’s investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money. Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected, and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease. Purchase and redemption activities by fund shareholders may impact the management of the fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s). The redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the fund including by accelerating the realization of capital gains and increasing the fund's transaction costs. The principal risks of investing in the fund are:

Equity Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Securities Risk. The risk that, in addition to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, the value of the fund’s shares will be negatively affected by factors specific to investing through a pooled vehicle, such as through poor management of a REIT or REIT-like entity, concentration risk, or other risks typically associated with investing in small or medium market capitalization companies.

Equity Securities Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting issuers, industries or financial markets in which the fund invests, will impact the value of the stocks held by the fund and thus, the value of the fund’s shares over short or extended periods. Investments in a particular style or in small or medium-sized companies may enhance that risk.

Industry/Sector Concentration Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting real estate securities will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Since the fund concentrates its assets in real estate related securities, the fund is more vulnerable to conditions that negatively affect real estate related securities as compared to a fund that does not concentrate holdings in such securities.

Market Volatility Risk. The risk that the value of the securities in which the fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance Information

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

The bar chart shows changes in the fund’s performance from year to year over a 10-year period. The table shows how the fund’s average annual returns compare to those of a broad-based securities market index and a more narrowly-based benchmark that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. Updated performance information is available at virtus.com or by calling 800-243-1574.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800-243-1574

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

virtus.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns for Class A Shares (includes returns of a predecessor fund)

Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block]

rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock

Returns do not reflect sales charges and would be lower if they did.

Annual Return %

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

Returns do not reflect sales charges and would be lower if they did.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Q3/2009:

32.91%

Worst Quarter:

Q4/2008:

-38.73%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended 12/31/13; includes returns of a predecessor fund)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown only for Class A Shares; after-tax returns for other classes will vary.

Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher

rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher

In certain cases, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be higher than other return figures for the same period. This will occur when a capital loss is realized upon the sale of fund shares and provides an assumed tax benefit that increases the return.

Performance Table Narrative

rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

Returns reflect deduction of maximum sales charges and full redemption at end of periods shown.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

The S&P 500® Index is a free-float market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index is a free-float market capitalization-weighted index measuring equity tax-qualified REITs, which meet minimum size and liquidity criteria, that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market System. The indexes are calculated on a total return basis with dividends reinvested. The indexes are unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A Shares; after-tax returns for other classes will vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. In certain cases, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be higher than other return figures for the same period. This will occur when a capital loss is realized upon the sale of fund shares and provides an assumed tax benefit that increases the return.

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

PHRAX

Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.74%

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.41%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.40%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

709

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

993

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,297

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,158

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

709

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

993

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,297

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

2,158

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

33.16%

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

14.43%

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

36.27%

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

(16.07%)

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(37.26%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

28.01%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

27.54%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

9.63%

2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

16.51%

2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

0.18%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

32.91%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(38.73%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return Before Taxes

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.58%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.51%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.97%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Class B

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

PHRBX

Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[2]

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.74%

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.41%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

618

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

873

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,154

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,292

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

218

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

673

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,154

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

2,292

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return Before Taxes

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.25%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.99%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.79%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

PHRCX

Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.74%

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.41%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

318

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

673

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,154

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,483

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

218

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

673

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,154

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

2,483

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return Before Taxes

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.53%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.00%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.81%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Class I

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

PHRIX

Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.74%

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.41%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

365

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

633

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,398

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

365

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

633

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 1,398

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return Before Taxes

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.45%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.17%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 29, 2006

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return After Taxes on Distributions

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.44%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.59%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.99%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.01%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.39%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.25%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

32.39%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.94%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.40%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class I

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.12%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 29, 2006

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.47%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.50%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.42%

VIRTUS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND | FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class I

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.71%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 29, 2006

[1]

[2]

The maximum deferred sales charge is imposed on Class B Shares redeemed during the first year; thereafter, it decreases 1% annually to 2% during the fourth and fifth years and to 0% after the fifth year. The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.