Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (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
Statement of Operations data:
Net revenues	$ 530,570	$ 572,781	$ 588,199	$ 538,547	$ 551,391	$ 637,649	$ 709,838	$ 695,151	$ 2,230,097	$ 2,594,029	$ 2,725,092
Gross profit	108,791	133,554	147,619	136,709	125,656	167,477	212,190	214,663	526,673	719,986	807,485
Operating Income	21,514	44,459	72,883	50,345	33,565	75,333	115,505	122,198	189,201	346,601	417,938
Net earnings	21,137	22,489	45,830	34,075	31,202	50,692	82,496	75,607	123,531	239,997	360,293
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	162	209	159	263	250	205	401	320	793	1,176	1,187
Net earnings (loss) 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
Per Share data:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders:	$ 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:	$ 0.14	$ 0.15	$ 0.29	$ 0.21	$ 0.19	$ 0.31	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 0.79	$ 1.42	$ 1.89
Operating income (loss):
Gain on Sale of Property	0	0	12,153	0	0	0	0	0	12,153	0	0
Executive employment agreement charge	0	0	0	0	0	(1,873)	(3,889)	0	0	5,762	0
One time tax benefit (expense)	$ 4,036	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 6,538	$ 0	$ 0	$ (10,024)	$ 1,969	$ 10,206	$ (27,635)
Quarter end date	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
Number of weeks in an interim reporting period									13