Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 306,353	$ 355,534	$ 624,641	$ 692,895
Operating expenses
Cost of revenue	165,039	194,296	336,030	391,667
Research and development	59,998	70,082	119,127	139,834
Selling, general and administrative	59,922	64,783	121,995	128,862
Acquisition-related charges	3,807	1,497	8,210	3,125
Restructuring charges (credits)	4,882	(1,583)	6,029	(1,807)
Gain on sale of assets	2,053	0	2,053	0
Total operating expenses	291,595	329,075	589,338	661,681
Income from operations	14,758	26,459	35,303	31,214
Interest and other income (expense), net	1,162	(1,202)	4,862	(1,125)
Income before income taxes	15,920	25,257	40,165	30,089
Provision for income taxes	9,693	6,021	17,392	8,687
Net income	6,227	19,236	22,773	21,402
Add: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	85	0	34	0
Net income attributable to Atmel	$ 6,312	$ 19,236	$ 22,807	$ 21,402
Net income per share	$ 0.02	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Weighted-average shares used in basic net income per share calculations	417,861	421,090	417,474	423,233
Net income per share	$ 0.02	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Weighted-average shares used in diluted net income per share calculations	419,158	422,834	418,784	424,876
Cash dividends declared and paid per share	$ 0.04	$ 0	$ 0.08	$ 0