Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 26,971	$ 32,719	$ 88,423	$ 92,959
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	14	33	44	124
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 26,985	$ 32,752	$ 88,467	$ 93,083
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic	147,451	144,937	147,447	144,012
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights	118	107	118	107
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	147,569	145,044	147,565	144,119
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	7,702	6,560	6,332	7,045
Restricted stock units	267	279	237	301
Other	8	7	8	6
Dilutive potential common shares	7,977	6,846	6,577	7,352
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	155,546	151,890	154,142	151,471
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ 0.60	$ 0.65
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.22	$ 0.57	$ 0.61
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	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)			$ 13.72
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)	7,925	7,885	7,927	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)			$ 18.80
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)			$ 11.67
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	77	77	87
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)	154	285	143	370