Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2008
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 50,487	$ 89,799	$ 207,869	$ 211,878
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	38	82	132	175
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	50,525	89,881	208,001	212,053
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	157,149	186,648	161,061	186,652
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,176	6,176	8,368	6,176
Employee stock options	13	7	138	6
Other	470	231	472	246
Dilutive potential common shares	6,659	6,414	8,978	6,428
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	163,808	193,062	170,039	193,080
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.48	$ 1.29	$ 1.14
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.47	$ 1.22	$ 1.10
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding convertible subordinated notes repurchased (in hundredths)					99.60%
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	0	4,072	0
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 Subordinated Notes, due 2023 [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	29	0	68
Principal amount of convertible subordinated notes redeemed				$ 1,870
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of subordinated notes for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)				$ 21.28
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)	138	39	92	45
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)	8,824	8,824	8,824	8,824
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	0	6,603	0
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
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)	359	2,606	121	2,599