Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 22,280	$ 50,487	$ 101,763	$ 207,869
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	71	38	233	132
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 22,351	$ 50,525	$ 101,996	$ 208,001
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	143,273	157,149	150,978	161,061
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,176	6,176	6,176	8,368
Restricted stock units	572	383	517	384
Other	97	100	99	226
Dilutive potential common shares	6,845	6,659	6,792	8,978
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	150,118	163,808	157,770	170,039
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.32	$ 0.67	$ 1.29
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.31	$ 0.65	$ 1.22
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)	19,809	19,809	19,809	6,603
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)			$ 13.88
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)	7,885	7,885	7,885	4,072
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)			$ 19.02
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)	12,704	0	5,677	0
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)			$ 11.81
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)	124	359	199	121
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)	8,824	8,824	8,824	8,824
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)	231	138	211	92