Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013 Common Class A [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Common Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ROYAL BANCSHARES OF PENNSYLVANIA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000922487
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float		$ 9,601,130
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			10,933,150	2,020,449
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012