Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 1,172,456	$ 1,413,334	$ 1,386,447
Operating expenses
Cost of revenue	629,429	794,704	812,822
Research and development	230,212	274,568	266,408
Selling, general and administrative	246,559	262,031	237,559
Acquisition-related charges	12,526	13,767	5,534
Restructuring charges	4,595	13,882	50,026
Recovery of receivables from foundry supplier	0	(485)	(600)
Gain on sale of assets	(1,626)	(4,364)	(4,430)
Settlement charges	0	0	21,600
Total operating expenses	1,121,695	1,354,103	1,388,919
Income (loss) from operations	50,761	59,231	(2,472)
Interest and other income (expense), net	7,534	(2,005)	1,959
Income (loss) before income taxes	58,295	57,226	(513)
Provision for income taxes	(31,393)	(22,018)	(21,542)
Net income (loss)	26,902	35,208	(22,055)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	(11)	(3,013)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Atmel	$ 26,891	$ 32,195	$ (22,055)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Atmel:
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.06	$ 0.08	$ (0.05)
Weighted-average shares used in basic net income (loss) per share calculations	418,759	419,103	427,460
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Atmel:
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.06	$ 0.08	$ (0.05)
Weighted-average shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share calculations	420,287	420,910	427,460
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.12	$ 0	$ 0