Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 31,309	$ 45,671	$ 60,240	$ 79,483
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	44	72	91	162
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 31,353	$ 45,743	$ 60,331	$ 79,645
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	143,603	152,462	143,544	154,831
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	7,913	6,176	7,288	6,176
Restricted stock units	249	513	313	489
Other	115	98	111	100
Dilutive potential common shares	8,277	6,787	7,712	6,765
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	151,880	159,249	151,256	161,596
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.30	$ 0.42	$ 0.51
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.29	$ 0.40	$ 0.49
Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]
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	19,809	19,809	19,809
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
Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	7,885	7,885	7,885	7,885
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)			$ 19.02
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	0	4,328	0	2,164
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)			$ 11.81
Weighted average employees stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	77	296	91	244
Weighted average warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	0	8,824	0	8,824
Weighted average other [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	302	194	412	201