Gemini API Free Tier Project Restricted — 403 PERMISSION_DENIED on GenerateConten

Gemini API
1

Subject: Gemini API Free Tier Project Restricted — 403 PERMISSION_DENIED on GenerateContent

Hello Google Gemini API Support Team,

I am unable to use the Gemini API Free Tier from my Google Cloud projects.

My current situation:

• Google AI Studio shows:
“Project quota tier unavailable”
and
“API access is restricted. Please set up billing to continue.”

• I have completed:

  • Age verification
  • Phone verification
  • 2-Step Verification

• I am using the Free-Tier-eligible Gemini Flash models.

I tested two separate Google Cloud projects:

  1. TEST CODE 1440
    Project ID: test-code-1440
    Project Number: 4553660847..

  2. CODE 1440 Gemini
    Project ID: code-1440-gemini

Both projects show the same Restricted status.

I also performed a direct API test:

GET /v1beta/models
→ HTTP 200 OK

This confirms that the API key and project can access the Gemini model catalogue.

I then tested the currently available Flash model:

gemini-3.6-flash

POST …/models/gemini-3.6-flash:generateContent
→ HTTP 403 PERMISSION_DENIED

Response:

“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

The same project-level denial occurs regardless of the prompt.

Therefore, this does not appear to be an invalid API key, disabled API, or model-specific problem. The model is recognized by the API, but GenerateContent access is denied.

Could you please review the Gemini API access/quota entitlement for these projects and determine why they are marked Restricted?

I would specifically like to use the Gemini API Free Tier and would prefer not to enable paid billing unless it is genuinely required for my account.

Please let me know what restriction is preventing Free Tier GenerateContent access and whether the project/account can be reviewed and enabled for the Free Tier.

Thank you.

3

Hello @Mr.Dev_1440 ,

Since you’ve already completed age, phone, and 2-step verification, try these next steps to resolve the 403 flag:

  • Generate a New API Key/Project: Existing projects often remain locked even after verification clears. Go to Google AI Studio and create a brand-new API key or project to re-check access.
  • Enable Billing (Alternative): If access still isn’t restored, add prepayment credits in Google AI Studio or link a billing account in the Google Cloud Console. Note that this will move your project off the free tier.
4

Hello,

I am experiencing the same issue with my Google AI Studio project.

My project is:

Project name: MathPilot
Project ID: mathpilot-50911..

AI Studio shows:

Billing Tier: Unavailable
Status: Restricted

When I call the Gemini API from Python, I receive:

403 PERMISSION_DENIED
“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

I have completed phone verification and enabled 2-Step Verification.

I also tried creating another project, but AI Studio returned:

“Unable to create API key. We were unable to create an API key and Google Cloud project for you.”

I would like to use the Gemini API Free Tier for a university educational project called MathPilot.

Could you please check whether my account/project is eligible for Gemini API Free Tier access and review the restriction?

Thank you.