Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Minimum ownership of entities that do not have a non-controlling interest (in hundredths)	100.00%
Royalty revenues	$ 6,362	$ 7,131	$ 6,633
Research and development expense	62,090	57,164	55,809
Grants recognized as reduction of cost of products sold	406	351	483
Deferred grant income	1,882	1,548
Number of years maintaining employment levels per grants conditions	10 years
Minimum number of months until maturity from original purchase date for a highly liquid investment to be considered a short-term investment (in months)	3 months
Bad debt expense	62	(24)	(93)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated cost to complete construction in progress	35,541
Depreciation expense	155,064	153,801	165,022
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cash and investments restricted for potential insurance claims	7,927	7,752
Outstanding claim accrual	0	0
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance	In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The ASU adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The ASU does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The ASU is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2013. Vishay adopted the ASU on January 1, 2013. The adoption of the ASU had no effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Patents and Acquired Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Capitalized Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Non-competition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents and Acquired Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Capitalized Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Non-competition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	10 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	7 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	20 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	40 years