Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 28,931	$ 33,812
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	47	90
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 28,978	$ 33,902
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	143,484	157,199
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,663	6,176
Restricted stock units	377	465
Other	108	104
Dilutive potential common shares	7,148	6,745
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	150,632	163,944
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.22
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.21
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
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
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	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)	$ 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)	105	358
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
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)	523	208