Dividend Restrictions and Statutory Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$ 6,900,501	$ 7,048,910	$ 6,709,532
Restricted Net Assets For Consolidated And Unconsolidated Subsidiaries	$ 5,300,000
PartnerRe Bermuda
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Percent of enhanced capital requirement	120.00%
Statutory Amount Available For Dividend Payments	$ 991,000
Statutory net income	444,000	660,000	616,000
Required statutory capital and surplus	2,041,000	1,984,000
Actual statutory capital and surplus	3,032,000	3,157,000
PartnerRe Europe
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Amount Available For Dividend Payments	257,000
Statutory net income	75,000	298,000	9,000
Required statutory capital and surplus	805,000	867,000
Actual statutory capital and surplus	$ 1,062,000	1,400,000
PartnerRe U.S.
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Percent of statutory capital that can be paid as dividends	10.00%
Statutory Amount Available For Dividend Payments	$ 12,000
Statutory net income	219,000	236,000	$ 123,000
Required statutory capital and surplus	701,000	764,000
Actual statutory capital and surplus	$ 1,405,000	$ 1,420,000