Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 02, 2010	Jul. 04, 2010	Apr. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Convertible Subordinated Notes, Due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Weighted average stock options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Weighted average warrants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Weighted average other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Weighted average other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Weighted average other [Member]
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 30,952	$ 50,487	$ 82,095	$ 75,287	$ 147,228	$ 89,799	$ 76,659	$ 45,420	$ 238,821	$ 359,106	$ (57,188)
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings (loss):
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax									189	257	0
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss)									239,010	359,363	(57,188)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)									160,094	183,618	186,605
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments (in shares)									7,820	6,313	0
Employee stock options (in shares)									106	10	0
Other (in shares)									494	286	0
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)									8,420	6,609	0
Adjusted weighted average shares (in shares)									168,514	190,227	186,605
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.32	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 0.84	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 0.24	$ 1.49	$ 1.96	$ (0.31)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.31	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 0.81	$ 0.47	$ 0.40	$ 0.24	$ 1.42	$ 1.89	$ (0.31)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)												9,905	0	0	5,026	0	0	0	51	87		0	0	6,176	182	2,243	3,615	8,824	8,824	8,824	123	35	294
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
Percentage of outstanding convertible subordinated notes repurchased (in hundredths)																					99.60%
Principal amount of convertible subordinated notes redeemed																			$ 1,870