It represents the value of accumulated legal and special reserve.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AccumulatedLegalAndSpecialReserve
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

It represents the value of american depository shares authorized maximum.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AmericanDepositarySharesAuthorizedMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

It represents the number of shares of american depository shares held by parent.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AmericanDepositarySharesHeldByParent
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

It represents the number of shares of american depository shares repurchased.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AmericanDepositarySharesRepurchasedShares
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

It represents the value of american depository shares reurchased.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AmericanDepositarySharesRepurchasedValue
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

It represents the average exercise price of american depository shares.

No definition available.

Name:	himx_AveragePricePerAmericanDepositaryShare
Namespace Prefix:	himx_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				36 Months Ended
Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011	Jun. 20, 2011	Nov. 14, 2008
American Depositary Shares Authorized Maximum							$ 25,000,000	$ 50,000,000
American Depositary Shares Repurchased Shares	9,488,656	3,854,026	13,125,251	2,369,091	19,348,368
American Depositary Shares Repurchased Value	13,400,000				50,000,000
Average Price Per American Depositary Share	$ 1.41				$ 2.58
American Depositary Shares Held By Parent	8,774,987
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	100.00%
Accumulated Legal and Special Reserve	$ 50,750,000					$ 47,297,000