Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per 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, 2013		Sep. 28, 2013		Jun. 29, 2013		Mar. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 29,206		$ 26,971		$ 35,642		$ 25,810		$ 30,021		$ 32,719		$ 31,309		$ 28,931		$ 117,629	$ 122,980	$ 122,738
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings (loss):
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax																	59	140	293
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss)																	$ 117,688	$ 123,120	$ 123,031
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic																	147,448	144,856	149,020
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights																	119	107	97
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)																	147,567	144,963	149,117
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments (in shares)																	5,890	6,130	6,176
Restricted stock units (in shares)																	252	320	549
Other (in shares)																	7	4	2
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)																	6,149	6,454	6,727
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Adjusted weighted average shares (in shares)																	153,716	151,417	155,844
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.24	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.22	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.80	$ 0.85	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.17	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.22	[1]	$ 0.21	[1]	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.77	$ 0.81	$ 0.79
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 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	19,809
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 13.66																$ 13.66
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 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)																	7,944	7,885	7,885
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 18.72																$ 18.72
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	0	7,434
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 11.62																$ 11.62
Weighted average 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	91	177
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	0	8,390
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)																	135	385	282

[1] May not add due to differences in weighted average share counts.