Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.06		$ 0.06	$ 0.06	$ 0.06	$ 0.24		$ 0	$ 0
Permitted stock repurchase or cash dividend payment capacity under credit facility	$ 192,733					$ 192,733
Shares reserved (in shares)	66,211,582					66,211,582
Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Voting rights per share						10
Conversion feature						one-for-one
Shares reserved (in shares)	12,129,227	[1]				12,129,227	[1]
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Voting rights per share						1
Common stock options outstanding [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	105,000					105,000
Restricted stock units outstanding [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	1,147,000					1,147,000
Available to grant 2007 Stock Incentive Program - [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	3,693,000					3,693,000
Phantom stock units outstanding [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	119,000					119,000
Exchangeable Unsecured Notes, Due 2102 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	2,511,742					2,511,742
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	22,685,258					22,685,258
Number of shares debentures are convertible into (in shares)						20,134,043
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	9,070,490	[1]				9,070,490	[1]
Number of shares debentures are convertible into (in shares)						8,014,230
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares reserved (in shares)	14,750,865	[1]				14,750,865	[1]
Number of shares debentures are convertible into (in shares)						12,912,435

[1] The convertible senior debentures due 2040, due 2041, and due 2042 are convertible into 20,134,043, 8,014,230, and 12,912,435 shares, respectively, of Vishay common stock. The Company has reserved the maximum amount of shares to be delivered upon a make-whole fundamental change as defined in the indentures governing the debentures.