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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-03-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001395599</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Babcock William</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WELLESLEY HOUSE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>90 PITTS BAY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PEMBROKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>D0</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; CFO, PartnerRe Ltd.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2781</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>37382</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2026</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>39408</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>39408</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>137.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>69.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9375</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>68.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-08-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-08-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9375</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>61.90</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2763</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>75.60</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-27</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2763</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>79.61</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.89</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2011-02-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>80.45</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2011-10-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-10-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>81.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14395</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>55.56</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-02-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>14395</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>63.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>28500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>74.06</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-03-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>28500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>89.20</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>19619</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>48.30</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2014-03-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2023-03-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>19619</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>98.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>29202</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>38.62</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2015-02-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>29202</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>118.80</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>24306</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.70</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2016-02-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-02-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>24306</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects performance adjustment to Performance Share Units granted on February 28, 2014.  This award was previously reported on grant at target (5,562 shares) and settled at 150% (8,343 shares) on March 18, 2016.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reflects performance adjustment to Performance Share Units granted on February 17, 2015.  This award was previously reported on grant at target (4,051 shares) and settled at 150% (6,077 shares) on March 18, 2016.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Disposed of pursuant to the merger agreement between the issuer and EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $5,418,600 (less applicable tax withholding) on the effective date of the merger and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $637,500 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $208,883 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $590,478 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $713,125 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $799,786 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $2,110,710 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $947,598 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $1,127,781 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">These Share-Settled Share Appreciation Rights (SARs), which provided for a three year ratable vest, were cancelled as a result of the merger with EXOR in exchange for a cash payment of $454,522 (less applicable tax withholding), representing the difference between the exercise price of the SAR and the merger consideration of $137.50 per share and pursuant to the requirement of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Marc Wetherhill as Attorney-in-Fact for William Babcock</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-03-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
