<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000911421</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PARTNERRE LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001171792</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAUMGARTNER VITO H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CATERPILLAR, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ROUTE DE FRONTENEX 76</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GENEVE 6, 1211</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>V8</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Vito Baumgartner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

