Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 06, 2010	Dec. 13, 2002
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 454,922	$ 364,911
Credit facility	200,000	114,000
Less current portion	0	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	454,922	364,911
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	575,000	575,000
Unamortized discount	(359,825)	(363,768)
Embedded derivative	1,105	1,037
Carrying value of liability component	216,280	212,269
Equity component - net carrying value	230,214	230,214
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Contractual coupon interest	12,938	12,938	11,541
Non-cash amortization of debt discount	3,943	3,646	3,028
Non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs	189	189	165
Non-cash change in value of derivative liability	68	(266)	81
Total interest expense related to the debentures	17,138	16,507	14,815
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	200,000
2019	0
Thereafter	613,642
Interest paid	18,394	17,647	16,578
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	640,000
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Aug. 08, 2013
Expiration date	Aug. 08, 2018
Maximum incremental revolving commitments	50,000
Interest rate description	Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“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. 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.
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.75%
Commitment fees (in hundredths)	0.35%
Covenant terms	The Credit Facility permits the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock or pay cash dividends 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 or pay cash dividends under the Credit Facility increases each quarter by an amount equal to 20% of net income. At December 31, 2014, the Credit Facility allows the Company to repurchase its common stock or pay cash dividends up to $192,733 (See Note 7). The amount and timing of any future stock repurchases or cash dividends remains subject to authorization of the Company's Board of Directors.
Available liquidity	300,000
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance	The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to pay principal or interest, failure to pay or default under other material debt, material misrepresentation or breach of warranty, violation of certain covenants, a change of control, the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the insolvency of Vishay or certain of its significant subsidiaries, and the rendering of a judgment in excess of $25,000 against Vishay or certain of its significant subsidiaries. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the Company's obligations under the credit facility may be accelerated and the lending commitments under the credit facility terminated.
Permitted stock repurchase or cash dividend payment capacity under credit facility	192,733
Available borrowing capacity	432,445	518,345
Letters of credit outstanding	7,555	7,655
Committed and uncommitted short-term credit lines	16,700	27,400
Credit facility accelerated repayment minimum judgement	25,000
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	2.00%
Commitment fees (in hundredths)	0.50%
Basis increase upon leverage ratio decrease (in hundredths)	2.50
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.50%
Commitment fees (in hundredths)	0.30%
Basis increase upon leverage ratio decrease (in hundredths)	1.50
Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Exchangeable unsecured notes, due 2102	38,642	38,642
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
130% of the conversion price	$ 15.39
Principal amount of notes exchanged		56,400
Common shares issued for conversion of exchangeable notes		3,664,729
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	38,642			95,042	105,000
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock the Notes are exchangeable into (in shares)	2,511,742
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent	103,841	101,846
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Convertible senior debentures issuance date	Nov. 09, 2010
Debt maturity date	Nov. 15, 2040
Cash coupon rate	2.25%
Nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at issuance	8.00%
Effective conversion rate	73.2147
Effective conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 13.66
130% of the conversion price	$ 17.76
Convertible senior debentures call date	Nov. 20, 2020
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%
Debt instrument, Percentage of sale price of common stock (in hundredths)	98.00%
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	275,000	275,000
Unamortized discount	(171,685)	(173,645)
Embedded derivative	526	491
Carrying value of liability component	103,841	101,846
Equity component - net carrying value	110,094	110,094
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Contractual coupon interest	6,188	6,188	6,188
Non-cash amortization of debt discount	1,960	1,811	1,675
Non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs	88	88	88
Non-cash change in value of derivative liability	35	(131)	28
Total interest expense related to the debentures	8,271	7,956	7,979
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent	53,249	52,264
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Convertible senior debentures issuance date	May 13, 2011
Debt maturity date	May 15, 2041
Cash coupon rate	2.25%
Nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at issuance	8.375%
Effective conversion rate	53.4282
Effective conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.72
130% of the conversion price	$ 24.34
Convertible senior debentures call date	May 20, 2021
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%
Debt instrument, Percentage of sale price of common stock (in hundredths)	98.00%
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	150,000	150,000
Unamortized discount	(97,092)	(98,085)
Embedded derivative	341	349
Carrying value of liability component	53,249	52,264
Equity component - net carrying value	62,246	62,246
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Contractual coupon interest	3,375	3,375	3,375
Non-cash amortization of debt discount	993	915	843
Non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs	47	47	45
Non-cash change in value of derivative liability	(8)	(50)	7
Total interest expense related to the debentures	4,407	4,287	4,270
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Noncurrent	59,190	58,159
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Convertible senior debentures issuance date	May 31, 2012
Debt maturity date	Jun. 01, 2042
Cash coupon rate	2.25%
Nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at issuance	7.50%
Effective conversion rate	86.0829
Effective conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.62
130% of the conversion price	$ 15.11
Convertible senior debentures call date	Jun. 07, 2022
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%
Debt instrument, Percentage of sale price of common stock (in hundredths)	98.00%
Liability and equity components of convertible debentures [Abstract]
Principal amount of the debentures	150,000	150,000
Unamortized discount	(91,048)	(92,038)
Embedded derivative	238	197
Carrying value of liability component	59,190	58,159
Equity component - net carrying value	57,874	57,874
Interest expense related to debentures [Abstract]
Contractual coupon interest	3,375	3,375	1,978
Non-cash amortization of debt discount	990	920	510
Non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs	54	54	32
Non-cash change in value of derivative liability	41	(85)	46
Total interest expense related to the debentures	$ 4,460	$ 4,264	$ 2,566
Debt instrument percentage of conversion price (in hundredths)	130.00%