Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Weighted average other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average other [Member]
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 20,975	$ 22,280	$ 45,671	$ 33,812	$ 30,952	$ 50,487	$ 82,095	$ 75,287	$ 122,738	$ 238,821	$ 359,106
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings (loss):
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax									293	189	257
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss)									123,031	239,010	359,363
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									149,020	160,094	183,618
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments (in shares)									6,176	7,820	6,313
Restricted stock units									549	212	133
Other (in shares)									99	388	163
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)									6,824	8,420	6,609
Adjusted weighted average shares (in shares)									155,844	168,514	190,227
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.16	$ 0.30	$ 0.22	$ 0.20	$ 0.32	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 0.82	$ 1.49	$ 1.96
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.15	$ 0.29	$ 0.21	$ 0.19	$ 0.31	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 0.79	$ 1.42	$ 1.89
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)												19,809	9,905	0	7,885	5,026	0	7,434	0	0	0	0	51		177	182	2,243	8,390	8,824	8,824	282	123	35
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)												$ 13.88			$ 19.02			$ 11.81
Percentage Of Outstanding Convertible Subordinated Notes Repurchased To Option Of Holders																								99.60%
Extinguishment of debt																							$ 1,870