Passion
“Professional, punctual, honest, with a good understanding of the different cultures and difficulties involved in relocating”
Relocation to Switzerland? Congratulations.
Switzerland is regularly rated as one of the countries offering the best quality of life in the world. It is clean and safe and runs like clockwork. Located at the centre of Europe, it offers a wealth of opportunities to enjoy life amongst its breathtakingly beautiful mountains and lakes.
Zug based Prime Relocation offers a complete relocation service to companies and families transferring to Switzerland, and is passionate about ensuring that the whole family is happily integrated in to their new environment as soon as possible.
Relocating to a country with a different language and culture is often much more complex and emotionally challenging than anticipated, particularly for spouses and families. Prime Relocation offers a complete relocation and settlement package – covering orientation tour, housing, schooling, registration and settling in support – and ensures that in no time at all your family feels relaxed and comfortable in their new home.
Our strengths
- Passionate about what we do
- Special support for families
- Committed, personalised, experienced
- Nationwide coverage
- Tailor made packages
- Local contacts
- Vast resource network
- Transparent pricing
- Honesty, reliability, professionalism
Additional Services
- temporary housing
- immigration services
- office space search
- property management
- spouse support
- cross cultural seminars
- corporate moves
more information available upon request.
Apartment Search
Are you looking for an apartment? Coming soon – we will offer you a choice of apartments in Central Switzerland.
Member of
Team
“Reliable, competent, efficient and prepared to go the extra mile”
Prime Relocation was founded by Linda Staeger-Wedge in 2006. The company is based in Zug in Central Switzerland and arranges relocations to Zürich, Zug, Lucerne and Schwyz. In addition, Prime Relocation operates a nationwide partnership with the Advantage Relocation Group.
Over the years Linda has seen the difficulties that many families experience in adapting to Swiss life. While the work-place environment is well catered for, the support for expatriate families can be poor. This is why Linda is passionate about providing families with a comprehensive support service.
Linda Staeger-Wedge
Linda is no newcomer to international life, having moved from the UK to Germany to Switzerland, where she is married to a Swiss and has two children, both in the Swiss school system. Linda studied languages at the University of London and is fluent in English and German. She has lived and worked in Zug for nearly twenty years, giving her the in-depth knowledge and networks required to provide her clients with an outstanding service. Linda is ably assisted by her multicultural team.
Sara Windlin
Sara is a local lady, born and bred in Zug. She has spent many years living the expat life abroad and lived extensively in both Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. Sara recently relocated back to her home town with her three children who attend a mixture of public and private schools. If you have a question about anything local, Sara is sure to know the answer! Having relocated so many times within Asia and Australia, Sara also well understands the logistical concerns and emotional upheaval involved in relocating and knows how to listen, but also how to put her clients at ease.
Anne Wikman
Anne Wikman was born in Helsinki, Finland. Anne is a true global citizen, having lived in eight different countries: the USA, Belgium, Sweden, Malta, Holland, Moscow and the UK. In 2009 she and her family moved to Baar in Switzerland. With two school age children of her own, she has first hand experience of the complexities of moving a family from one country to another. She also knows the value of good relocation support, which is why she is so good at it herself!
Radka Zmek
Radka Zmek grew up in Prague in the Czech Republic and has lived in the USA. She is fluent in English, Czech and German and can speak Spanish and Russian. Radka is comfortable dealing with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and enjoys the challenge each new relocation brings. She has three teenage daughters who are integrated in Switzerland and she takes pride in having raised her daughters trilingual. Radka is well acquainted with the expat lifestyle and has excellent local knowledge of Lucerne. Providing newcomers with those all important insider tips to make their transition that little bit smoother is something that she particularly enjoys!
Orientation Tour
“Prime Relocation gave us a fantastic orientation tour of the area”
An orientation tour provides a first insight into life in Switzerland and is the ideal opportunity to gather information about your move.
It is designed for people who have not yet made their minds up about relocating. The aim is to address concerns, provide information about life in Switzerland, the culture, housing and schooling options.
Prime relocation provides on the spot assistance and escorts you around the area. The tour can be tailor made to your requirements but it is our invaluable local knowledge that will help you to make the best choices for you and your family.
Home search
“One month after my arrival in Zug I was living in a flat with my family and telephone and Internet were already connected!”
One of the keys to a successful move abroad is getting the accommodation right. If your family feels comfortable and at home, everything else will seem much easier.
Whether you wish to rent or buy, Prime Relocation works with a network of partners and agents to find the property to match your needs. We assess your individual housing requirements, arrange appointments, accompany you to viewings and carry out the necessary application formalities. We also manage the hand-over of the apartment and the connection of the utilities.
Should you require, Prime Relocation can assist you in purchasing new items such as a car or small items of furniture for your new life abroad.
Prime Relocation can organise the end- to- end logistics of your move to Switzerland. This can be done on an individual basis or in conjunction with one of our partner companies.
Schooling
“Thanks to your in-depth knowledge of local schooling options, my three children skip happily out of the door each morning to their new school"
Finding the right school for your children is crucial to the happiness of the whole family in their new environment. The decision about where to send your children to school is often very personal and can influence your decision about where to live. Switzerland offers a variety of very good kindergartens, day care centres and local and international schools with well-qualified, reputable teachers. Prime Relocation is passionate about understanding each child’s requirements, making recommendations, setting up appointments and helping to ease the children in to their new school.
Extra-curricular activities are just as important for integrating children into their new environment. Prime Relocation will help you here too, with a vast network of local contacts.
Such is the importance that we place on getting schooling right, that Prime Relocation has set up a school support line – Tel: 041 760 7441 to assist expats with the integration of their children into Swiss schools. If you have questions regarding the schooling of your children or wish to know more about local Swiss or international schools, feel free to call the Prime team. We will gladly discuss the possibilities with you and assist you in your decision-making. The support line covers the Central Switzerland area of Zug, Zürich, Lucerne and Schwyz.
Settling in
“I would recommend them to anyone moving into the Zug or Zürich area without any reservations whatsoever!”
Prime Relocation helps you and your family to settle in, in no time at all, by taking care of all the tiresome and painstaking paperwork. We manage your registration with the local authorities as well as providing you with support concerning insurance policies, banking services and healthcare. We provide you with comprehensive information about the local area and introduce you to key contacts and organisations. We ensure that your family is integrated in their new environment as soon as possible and will introduce you to fitness centres, sports clubs, mums and kids groups and language courses. All of our services are tried and tested and will have the whole family feeling at home in no time at all.
Help desk
“…meticulous, informed, tactful and patient”
No matter how smooth the transition to your new home, there will always be on-going issues that need to be dealt with. With Prime Relocation you have a partner at the end of the phone that is always available to help you out with those questions that arise in your daily life. These can range from a recommendation for the most convenient ski resort to interior decoration advice or a helping hand with the Swiss dialect. We are there for you and your family.
Leaving Assistance
“Prime Relocation is really professional, direct, effective and we enjoyed working together”
The expatriate lifestyle may require you to relocate from Switzerland. Moving is always stressful for a family, but Prime Relocation will make the transition as smooth as possible. We will manage the formalities associated with leaving the country. These include the termination of the lease contract through to the handing over of the apartment, disconnecting utilities, cancelling insurance policies and de-registration with the local authorities. It is our aim to make the onward move as trouble free as possible.
Testimonials
The move to Switzerland is our first to Europe. The cultures, traditions, systems and languages are quite different to our homeland. The Prime Relocation team delivered their services in a corteous and professional manner. In doing so, they reduced complexity to simplicity and allowed us more time to get to know the community. We think that most families would agree that moving is one of the most stressful events in their lives. The Prime Relocation's team managed the cycle in such a manner that our stress shifted to a different topic - that is, what should we go and visit in the great country of Switzerland. Many thanks for everything.
COO, Baar
I would personally like to thank you for the expert and professional manner in which you have managed, and assisted me in my search for an apartment and my subsequent move to Switzerland from England. Without your assistance I would surely have labored under the numerous and varied procedures and protocols required in securing a suitable apartment in Zug Canton. I have found Linda and her group to have performed the task of relocating my family and I to Zug in a meticulous, informed, tactful and patient manner. Linda is erudite and communicative, and has shown great diligence and skill in her negations. Furthermore I regard her as having great aptitude, a sound local knowledge and good variety of useful contacts, which can be drawn upon well after her role has been finalised.
Engineer, Zürich
"Moving to Switzerland can be a bureaucratic headache without the support of a good relocation agent. Linda and Mary at Prime Relocation made the move completely stress free and had all the contacts to find us our perfect Swiss house. Many thanks to them for all of their help."
CFO, Zug
“The Prime Relocation team is reliable, competent and highly efficient. They offer clients support where needed and always have an answer for any complex problem. I can fully recommend Linda and her team to prospective employers as a partner they can count on and one that will execute their job to the best of their ability and I can vouch for the high standard of their work.”
CFO, Zug
“I am in the process of relocating from London to Zug, Switzerland, and am very happy by the service and results from Linda Stager at Prime Relocation. In all my dealings with Linda, she has been professional, punctual, honest, and shown a good understanding of the different cultures and other difficulties involved in relocating. I would happily recommend her services.”
Trader, Zug
“1 month after my arrival in Zug, coming from France, I was living in a flat in Oberägeri with my family and telephone and internet were already connected ! Congratulations to the Prime team for their quick and very high efficiency.”
Engineer, Zug
„Sehr gute Dienstleistung. Schnell, Unkompliziert, Effektiv.“
Engineer, Zug
“When people make a move to a foreign country, a lot of things have to organized and a lot of changes are coming up. The most of these changes are rather new and unknown. Things where you never thought about. At the same time you have to take a lot decisions, small and big ones in a very short period. In this situation you need support. We have got this support from Prime Relocation and especially from Linda Staeger. The approach of Prime Relocation was very effective, pro-active and very personal. At the right time the right things have been discussed and brought up by Prime Relocation. Also the communication went very well. Not only with us but also with the Employer who is also very important. The communication was very open, transparent and quick. The preparation was always good, in every step. During the search activities in Switzerland there was the necessary support but also after the first weeks settling there was a follow up and interest. Prime Relocation is really professional, direct, effective and we enjoyed working together. With this kind of support, changing a country and culture, the first step is much easier!”
MD, Zürich
“You're the best, thanks so much. We had a great afternoon and really appreciate your time and information....we're both very excited about our new future here in Zug!!”
VP Sales and Marketing, Zug
In addition, I would like to take a moment to thank both of you for your outstanding & professional services you have been providing.
Trader, Zug
Prime Relocation in the news
Prime Relocation was interviewed by DRS reporter Beat Vogt and the programme "Echo der Zeit" about our work. Entitled "a company for everything", the report discusses the challenges faced by newcomers to Switzerland.
Listen to find out more.
A View on Integration
Integration is a topic on everyone’s lips. What is it? How do you do it? And why is it so important? Switzerland is a country with over 1.6 million foreign residents. Most of the highly- skilled and well-educated expatriates come to Switzerland to work and enjoy the quality of life on offer here. Some succeed at integrating, many, sadly, however, do not. Here are our thoughts on the topic.
Integrating into a foreign culture is never easy and Switzerland with its rather peculiar dialects and languages and four very diverse socio-linguistic regions and adhering cultures, may well pose a particular challenge in terms of integration to newcomers.
The process of integration refers to combining parts to form one whole. Above all, it furthers a peaceful co-existence between different cultures and strengthens social cohesion. Switzerland with 4 social linguistic areas and 26 federal cantons each with their own set of laws and government is a complex culture to conquer and yet many a foreigner has managed. The most dominant culture out of all these areas is the Swiss German culture and language due to the highest number of inhabitants and land surface covered within it.
The Swiss have high expectations about how foreigners should adapt to their new surroundings - they are expected to: adhere to the laws; respect public order; be financially independent; learn the local language; take an interest in local traditions and respect the cultural diversity of the country and its inhabitants. This doesn’t seem like too much to ask – after all, we would expect the same of foreigners in our home countries. The Swiss foster these high expectations not only of themselves, but also of their guests.
What are the key elements to integration? Contact, understanding, appreciation and respect are the core elements. It is important to realise that integration isn’t a condition, but a process that takes time. It is a process of adapation that one can learn to varying degrees.
Switzerland doesn’t always seem to have a very welcoming culture. I have taken new inhabitants to the “Einwohneramt” to sign up and one doesn’t always receive a warm welcome. This may seem rather cold and off-putting at first. Of course, the welcome, the appreciation and understanding works both ways, except that foreigners living in Switzerland are guests in the country and ultimately have an obligation to conform. Maybe it is also more out of a necessity to develop a survival code in the new habitat that conformity takes place. At first sight, the Swiss may appear to be cold and unwelcoming, but it is just their natural wariness of foreigners and building a relationship with them may take a little longer than most expats are used to.
Adaption, after all, occurs naturally -humans are a lot more adaptable than we think we are, wanting to fit in and “belong” in any given situation. Of course, there are cultural limitations, which restrict the degree of adaption, such as not being able to joke with the people on the check out till at Migros, with neighbours, the postman and so on, but most people accept these limitations as a necessary evil in what is otherwise a linguistically and socially enriching experience – living abroad.
Any culture has barriers. In Switzerland the definite barriers for the Anglo-Saxons are the language, the rigid social calendars and the lack of spontaneity. The aim is to see beyond these limitations, accept them and focus on the positives.
Being transferred to a new country requires flexibility and adaptability. In theory, what may seem like an easy and glamorous process can soon turn into one fraught with difficulties if there is too much tension and not enough positive experiences made. Integration, therefore, is key and being open-minded and naturally curious will go a long way into dissipating tension and giving you a positive time abroad.
Having an understanding of the culture is a prerequisite to having an enjoyable and fulfilling assignment and stay in Switzerland. By joining local clubs, getting to know your Swiss neighbours and also inquiring about cultural events at work, one can become fascinated with the culture and feel a little more part of the system, rather than exempt from it.
I have spent the last twenty years integrating into Swiss culture and now I help others to do the same. Learning the language is a key component to integrating, but overall it is all in your attitude – stay focused, observe, enquire and take an interest. Even small gestures towards an appreciation of the Swiss, their culture, country and traditions go a long way with locals to them accepting you as part of their diverse society. The benefits are there for the taking. Go grab them.
Contact & Links
Prime Relocation delivers outstanding value for money based on in-depth knowledge of life in Switzerland and a comprehensive contact network. To understand how Prime Relocation can safeguard your investment in your key executives and their families call or mail to discuss your requirements.
Prime Relocation
Industriestrasse 47
CH-6300 Zug
Switzerland
Telephone +41 41 760 7441
Fax +41 41 760 7442
Here are some useful links:
About Switzerland
| justlanded.com | practical information about living in Switzerland |
| myswitzerland.com | useful tips on travelling in Switzerland |
| switzerlandisyours.com | general information |
| ch.ch | useful facts and figures |
| zoll.admin.ch | customs and import infos |
| statistik.admin.ch | federal Swiss office of statistics website |
| comparis.ch | comparison of health insurance, finance and telephone packages |
| meteoswiss.ch | weather forecast |
| educa.ch | Swiss education system |
| sbb.ch | plan your train journey on line |
| dict.leo.org | English-German online dictionary |
About Zug
| zug.ch | Canton Zug’s website |
| stadtzug.ch | Zug town’s website |
| zug-tourismus.ch | tourism portal |
| zug.ch/steuerfuss | tax comparisons by village |
About Zürich
| zuerich.com | Zürich Tourism |
| steueramt.zh.ch | Tax Infos |
| erz.ch | how to recycle successfully – in Zürich |
| zurichexpats.com | expat blog |
About Lucerne
| luzern.com |
| centralswitzerland.ch |
About Pfäffikon
| pfaeffikon.ch |
| freienbach.ch |
| sz.ch |
Partner
| primeproperty.ch |
Books and magazines
| bergli.ch | English publishing House |
| swissnews.ch | Life in Switzerland – designed for expats |
| swissinfo.ch | Read about current topics in English |
| nzz.ch/english | Swiss national newspaper on-line in English |
Buying a car
| autoclick.ch |
| autoscout24.ch |
| carweb.ch |
| car4you.ch |
| amag.ch |
Children
| thestork.ch | The parenting source for Switzerland |
| gymboree.ch | Play and gymnastics for children |
| kinderhotels.com | Brilliant hotels designed for families to have a real holiday |
| europapark.de | Disney german style – great fun for all ages |
| zoo.ch | Zoo Zürich |
| childcare.ch | Finding a day care with free spaces |
| kinderkrippen-online.ch | Listing the day cares |
Expatriate info
| englishforum.ch | By expats for expats in Switzerland |
| xpatxchange.ch | Expatriate information |
Finding a job in Switzerland
| headhunter.ch |
| alpha.ch |
| jobs.ch |
| topjobs.ch |
| jobscout24.ch |
Furniture rental
| expat-furniture.ch | hire for events, for your home or office |
Health
| notfallnummern.ch | Emergency phone numbers |
| doctor.ch | Find a doctor in your region |
Learning german
| castles.ch | Excellent language school in Zug with offices in Zug, Thalwil and Lucerne |
| klubschule.ch | Migros Klubschule |
Pets
| caninecarriers.com | Relocating pets professionally |
Removal Companies
| Weber-Vonesch AG |
| Welti-Furrer |
| Allied International |
Social clubs
| awczurich.org | American Women’s Club of Zürich |
| acz.ch | American Club of Zürich |
| etgz.ch | English Theatre Group of Zug |
| escz.ch | English speaking club of Zürich |
| ziwa.com | Zürich International Women’s Association |
| ziwc.ch | Zug International Women’s Club |
| iwcl.ch | International Women’s Club of Lucerne |
| imcz.ch | International Men’s Club of Zug |
| touchrugby.ch | Touch Rugby for Expats Zürich |
Spouse career
| spousecareercentre.com | Support for spouses with finding a new job in Switzerland |
Taxes
| Taxes Brochure (PDF) |
Imprint
Concept and Design: Christen Visuelle Gestaltung Zug, www.christen.ch
Text: Linda Staeger