Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 32,719	$ 22,280	$ 92,959	$ 101,763
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	33	71	124	233
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 32,752	$ 22,351	$ 93,083	$ 101,996
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	144,937	143,273	144,012	150,978
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,560	6,176	7,045	6,176
Restricted stock units	279	572	301	517
Other	114	97	113	99
Dilutive potential common shares	6,953	6,845	7,459	6,792
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	151,890	150,118	151,471	157,770
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.16	$ 0.65	$ 0.67
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.15	$ 0.61	$ 0.65
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	19,809	19,809
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)			$ 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	7,885	7,885
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)			$ 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	12,704	0	5,677
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)			$ 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)	77	124	87	199
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	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)	285	231	370	211