This is one of the most common questions asked by students and beginners who are starting their cloud journey.

In simple words:
AWS Free Tier lasts for 12 months for most core services, while some services are always free within limits.

Understanding the Three Types of AWS Free Tier

To correctly understand how long the AWS Free Tier lasts, you must know that AWS Free Tier is divided into three categories.

1. 12-Month Free Tier (Most Important for Beginners)

This is the most commonly used Free Tier.

For 12 months from the date you create your AWS account, you get limited free usage of popular services such as:

• Virtual servers (EC2 – limited hours)
• Storage services
• Databases (basic usage)

After 12 months, these services do not remain free and will start charging based on usage.

2. Always Free Tier (No Time Limit, But With Limits)

Some AWS services are always free, even after the 12-month period ends.

However, they come with monthly usage limits. As long as you stay within those limits, you are not charged.

These services are useful for:

• Practice
• Small demos
• Lightweight applications

But exceeding the limits will still result in charges.

3. Free Trials (Short-Term Free Access)

Certain AWS services offer short free trials, such as:

• 7 days
• 30 days
• Limited usage-based trials

These trials start when you activate the service, not when you create the AWS account.

Once the trial ends, the service becomes paid automatically.

What Happens After the AWS Free Tier Ends?

When the 12-month AWS Free Tier expires:

• AWS does not stop your services
• AWS starts charging standard rates
• Your account continues as a normal paid AWS account

This is why monitoring usage is very important for beginners.

Does AWS Notify You Before Free Tier Ends?

AWS provides:

• Usage dashboards
• Billing alerts (if you set them)
• Monthly billing statements

However, AWS does not always send a personal reminder saying “your Free Tier has ended.”

So, it is your responsibility to track how long the AWS Free Tier lasts for your account.

How Can You Check Your AWS Free Tier Remaining Time?

You can check:

• Your AWS account creation date
• Free Tier usage dashboard
• Billing section

From this, you can calculate when your 12-month Free Tier period will end.

Is AWS Free Tier Enough for Students?

Yes, for learning purposes:

• The 12-month period is more than enough
• Always Free services extend learning further
• Small projects can be built safely

Most students complete their AWS learning well within the Free Tier period.

Common Beginner Confusions About AWS Free Tier Duration

Some common misunderstandings include:

• Thinking Free Tier lasts forever
• Believing AWS will stop services automatically
• Assuming no charges are possible during Free Tier

Understanding these points helps avoid unexpected bills.