Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Jul. 06, 2010 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Jul. 05, 2010 Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Permitted stock repurchase capacity under credit facility	$ 198,592		$ 198,592
Incremental revolving commitments			50,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description			Vishay is also required to pay facility fees on the entire commitment amount based on the Company's leverage ratio. Based on the Company's current leverage ratio, the facility fee is 0.35% per annum. Such facility fee will increase to 0.50% per annum if the Company's leverage ratio equals or exceeds 2.50 to 1 and will decrease to 0.30% per annum if the leverage ratio decreases below 1.50 to 1.
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.35%
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an interest margin. The applicable interest margin is based on the Company's leverage ratio. Based on the Company's current leverage ratio, borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. The interest rate on the Company's borrowings will increase to LIBOR plus 2.00% if the Company's leverage ratio equals or exceeds 2.50 to 1 and will decrease to LIBOR plus 1.50% if the Company's leverage ratio decreases below 1.50 to 1.
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date			Aug. 08, 2018
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date			Aug. 08, 2013
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms			The Credit Facility permits the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock up to a permitted capacity, conditioned upon Vishay maintaining (i) a pro forma leverage ratio of 2.75 to 1.00, (ii) a pro forma interest expense coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, and (iii) $300,000 of available liquidity, as defined in the Credit Facility. The permitted capacity to repurchase shares of the Company's outstanding common stock under the Credit Facility increases each quarter by an amount equal to 20% of net income. At September 28, 2013, the Credit Facility allows the Company to repurchase up to $198,592 of its common stock. The amount and timing of any future stock repurchases remains subject to authorization of the Company's Board of Directors.
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	640,000		640,000
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	359,874		359,874		392,931
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent									101,319		101,319		100,166	51,978		51,978		51,399	57,935		57,935		57,324
Exchangeable unsecured notes, due 2102	38,642		38,642		95,042
Credit facility	110,000		110,000		89,000
Less current portion	0		0		0
Long-term debt, less current portion	359,874		359,874		392,931
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Common shares issued for conversion of exchangeable notes			3,664,729			3,664,729
Issuance date						Dec. 13, 2002					Nov. 09, 2010					May 13, 2011					May 31, 2012
Debt maturity date											Nov. 15, 2040					May 15, 2041					Jun. 01, 2042
Principal amount of debt	575,000		575,000		575,000	38,642	95,042	105,000	275,000		275,000		275,000	150,000		150,000		150,000	150,000		150,000		150,000
Stated rate of interest on debt (in hundredths)									2.25%		2.25%			2.25%		2.25%			2.25%		2.25%
Effective rate of interest on convertible senior debentures (in hundredths)									8.00%		8.00%			8.375%		8.375%			7.50%		7.50%
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)			130.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger						$ 15.39					$ 18.04					$ 24.73					$ 15.35
Debt Instrument Conversion Price Amount									$ 13.88		$ 13.88			$ 19.02		$ 19.02			$ 11.81		$ 11.81
Debt instrument, initial conversion shares of common stock (shares per $1000 principal)											72.0331					52.5659					84.6937
Convertible senior debentures call date											Nov. 20, 2020					May 20, 2021					Jun. 07, 2022
Debt instrument, initial conversion price (in dollars per share)											72.0331					52.5659					84.6937
Principal amount of notes exchanged						56,400
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	575,000		575,000		575,000	38,642	95,042	105,000	275,000		275,000		275,000	150,000		150,000		150,000	150,000		150,000		150,000
Unamortized discount	(364,705)		(364,705)		(367,414)				(174,110)		(174,110)		(175,456)	(98,321)		(98,321)		(99,000)	(92,274)		(92,274)		(92,958)
Embedded derivative	937		937		1,303				429		429		622	299		299		399	209		209		282
Carrying value of liability component	211,232		211,232		208,889				101,319		101,319		100,166	51,978		51,978		51,399	57,935		57,935		57,324
Equity component - net carrying value	230,214		230,214		230,214				110,094		110,094		110,094	62,246		62,246		62,246	57,874		57,874		57,874
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Contractual coupon interest	3,235	3,235	9,705	8,308					1,547	1,547	4,641	4,641		844	844	2,532	2,532		844	844	2,532	1,135
Non-cash amortization of debt discount	922	852	2,709	2,160					458	423	1,346	1,244		231	213	679	626		233	216	684	290
Non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs	46	47	141	120					22	22	66	66		11	12	35	36		13	13	40	18
Non-cash change in value of derivative liability	(40)	15	(366)	58					(30)	47	(193)	14		(13)	(19)	(100)	15		3	(13)	(73)	29
Total interest expense related to the debentures	$ 4,163	$ 4,149	$ 12,189	$ 10,646					$ 1,997	$ 2,039	$ 5,860	$ 5,965		$ 1,073	$ 1,050	$ 3,146	$ 3,209		$ 1,093	$ 1,060	$ 3,183	$ 1,472
Number of shares of common stock the Notes are exchangeable into (in shares)						2,511,742