Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name		ATMEL CORP
Entity Central Index Key		0000872448
Document Type		10-Q
Document Period End Date		Jun. 30, 2013
Entity Voluntary Filers		No
Amendment Flag		false
Current Fiscal Year End Date		--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status		Yes
Entity Filer Category		Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			427,576,496
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer		Yes
Document Fiscal Focus		2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2