Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Selected Segment Information and Reconciliations to Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 751,378	$ 836,731	$ 773,716
Total deposits	531,370	576,166	554,917
Interest income	6,752	8,806
Interest expense	1,980	2,813
Net Interest Income	4,772	5,993
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses	(251)	84
Total other income	1,408	661
Total other expenses	6,140	8,067
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Net Income (Loss)	291	(1,497)
Noncontrolling interest	173	(628)
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc.	118	(869)
Community Banking [Member]
Selected Segment Information and Reconciliations to Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]
Total assets	715,157	779,212
Total deposits	531,370	576,166
Interest income	5,949	7,217
Interest expense	1,551	1,901
Net Interest Income	4,398	5,316
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses	(310)	109
Total other income	1,162	789
Total other expenses	5,611	5,772
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	51
Net Income (Loss)	259	173
Noncontrolling interest	160	40
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc.	99	133
Tax Lien Operation [Member]
Selected Segment Information and Reconciliations to Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]
Total assets	36,221	57,519
Total deposits	0	0
Interest income	803	1,589
Interest expense	429	912
Net Interest Income	374	677
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses	59	(25)
Total other income	246	(128)
Total other expenses	529	2,295
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	(51)
Net Income (Loss)	32	(1,670)
Noncontrolling interest	13	(668)
Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc.	19	(1,002)
Tax Lien Operation Interest [Member]
Selected Segment Information and Reconciliations to Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 429,000	$ 912,000