In order to address non-local effects in turbulent transport of magnetic-fusion devices, the gyrokinetic code GENE has been extended from a flux tube to a more global geometry. This global version of GENE includes radial variations of temperature and density profiles, as well as of magnetic equilibrium quantities. Non-periodic radial boundary conditions allow for profile evolution. Thanks to an interface with the MHD equilibrium code CHEASE, as well as the implementation of various types of source and sink terms, the global GENE version will provide a realistic model for carrying out gyrokinetic, quasi-stationary, microturbulence simulations over a major fraction of the core plasma. Validation of the code has in particular been ensured thanks to detailed comparisons with the global PIC codes GYGLES and ORB5.