OpenAI closes the Pro tier at €229 for new ChatGPT users

Key Takeaways

1OpenAI suspends new subscriptions and upgrades to the Pro tier at €229 for ChatGPT

2Existing accounts are not affected, but it is impossible to return to this tier after cancellation or downgrade

3Other offers and the API remain accessible, with no announced date for reopening

Why it matters : This suspension limits access to the highest usage level of ChatGPT in response to very high demand for GPT-6 Astra.

OpenAI has stopped selling the highest tier of ChatGPT Pro, priced at €229 per month, due to what it describes as "unprecedented" demand for GPT-6 Astra. Existing accounts are not being cut off, but new sign-ups and upgrades are blocked, with no announced timeline for reopening.

No Reopening Date and Precautions for Subscribers

No deadline has been given for lifting the suspension. OpenAI states that there is no impact on existing accounts. However, a subscriber at the €229 tier who cancels or downgrades to €103 can no longer return to the €229 tier while the measure is in effect. As long as the subscription remains active, a scheduled cancellation or change can be reversed in the billing settings until the end of the current cycle.

Alternatives Remain Open, Including the API

OpenAI maintains access to other plans and its API. The Go, Plus, Business, and Enterprise offerings are still accepting new customers, as is the API intended for developers. Professionals who were aiming for the closed tier can switch to the €103 Pro or Plus plans, both of which provide access to Astra with lower usage allowances, or transition to the API.

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A Surge in Demand Related to GPT-6 Astra

Thibault Sottiaux mentions a "truly unprecedented" demand for GPT-6 Astra. The model, launched on September 3 and made available to paying subscribers in the following days, is designed to operate a computer end-to-end and perform lengthy tasks without supervision, uses that engage the service longer than a simple conversation. OpenAI had already faced a capacity shortage in November 2023 when sign-ups for ChatGPT Plus were suspended; according to Sam Altman, the DevDay conference had triggered a surge in usage that exceeded capacity.

What is Frozen in the Pro Offering, and at What Price

Since September 10, 2026, OpenAI has stopped marketing the $200 (€229) Pro tier for new subscriptions and upgrades; a Free, Go, Plus, or $100 (€103) Pro subscriber can no longer access the higher tier. The Pro offering comes in two levels, varying by usage amount: the €103 Pro offers ceilings five times higher than those of ChatGPT Plus, while the higher level offers ceilings twenty times greater. Only the highest tier is no longer accessible to new customers, while the €103 Pro remains available. According to Thibault Sottiaux, it is the €229 tier that exerts the most pressure on infrastructure; the suspension is described as the minimum measure necessary to maintain service quality and access to Astra, with OpenAI stating that it is increasing capacity as quickly as possible. This position was detailed by Thibault Sottiaux in a message posted on X on September 10.