# Gemini API 403 Error - Free Tier Access Restricted **URL:** \ **Category:** Gemini API\ **Tags:** bug\ **Created:** [October 20, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/gemini-api-403-error-free-tier-access-restricted/191042 "2026-10-20T11:31:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![writer20261020](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/writer20261020/32/160112_2.png) [@writer20261020](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/writer20261020)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/gemini-api-403-error-free-tier-access-restricted/191042/1 "2026-10-20T11:31:30Z")
Hello, I am trying to use the Gemini API Free Tier with my personal Google account. However, my project is marked as “Restricted” in Google AI Studio, and I receive the following error when using the API: 403 PERMISSION\_DENIED “Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.” I have tried both gemini-3.6-flash and gemini-3.5-flash-lite, but both return the same error. Google AI Studio asks me to set up billing, but I would prefer to use the Free Tier without enabling paid billing. Could you please help me understand why my project is restricted and whether I can restore Free Tier access? Thank you for your help.