Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 25,810	$ 28,931
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	16	47
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 25,826	$ 28,978
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic	147,440	143,484
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights	117	107
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	147,557	143,591
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	4,782	6,663
Restricted stock units	210	377
Other	7	1
Dilutive potential common shares	4,999	7,041
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	152,556	150,632
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.20
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.19
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)	0	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)	$ 13.82
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)	7,897	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)	$ 18.94
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
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)	$ 11.76
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	105
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)	114	523