Cork to Geneva (ORK–GVA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Irish passport holders enter Switzerland freely under the EU-Switzerland bilateral agreements. No visa, no fee, no time limit on stays for EU/EFTA citizens. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, so passport control applies on arrival. A valid Irish passport or Passport Card is sufficient.

For stays beyond 3 months, register at the local commune (Gemeinde/commune) within 14 days of arrival. EU citizens need an L permit (short-term, up to 1 year) or B permit (long-term, 5 years, renewable) depending on employment status. The permit fee varies by canton (CHF 50 to CHF 150). Bring proof of employment (a Swiss employment contract is the fastest path), self-employment authorization, or proof of sufficient funds (roughly CHF 21,000 per year) plus health insurance. Swiss health insurance (mandatory for all residents) starts at CHF 300 to CHF 500 per month depending on canton and deductible.

Direct flights from Dublin to Zurich run about 2 hours on Swiss and Aer Lingus. Geneva is about 2 hours 10 minutes. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), trading at roughly 0.92 CHF per EUR 1. Euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas but at poor rates. No vaccination requirements. Switzerland is expensive: a basic lunch runs CHF 20 to CHF 35, a coffee is CHF 4 to CHF 6. Tipping is not expected (service is included) but rounding up is appreciated.