In one of Europe’s most unusual geopolitical developments, a young digital designer has turned an unclaimed border region into a self-proclaimed nation. Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old originally from Australia, declared himself president of the Free Republic of Verdis, located on a 125-acre patch of land wedged between Croatia and Serbia along the Danube River. This small sliver of disputed territory, historically ignored due to unresolved border demarcations, has now been transformed into a micronation complete with a national flag, a functioning cabinet, its own currency, and official passports. What began as a teenage experiment has grown into a community of nearly 400 official citizens selected from over 15,000 applicants worldwide, as reported by the New York Post.
Despite fierce resistance from Croatian authorities, including deportations, legal bans, and surveillance, the ambitious project continues to thrive as a “government in exile.”
20-year-old digital designer declared himself President of the Free Republic of Verdis
Daniel Jackson first conceived the idea of Verdis when he was just 14 years old. Initially, it was nothing more than an exciting teenage experiment shared with friends, an attempt to build something unique and unconventional. His curiosity was sparked by a rare geographical phenomenon: a 125-acre area of disputed land known as “pocket three” along the Danube River, unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia due to a long-standing border dispute. Fascinated by politics, sovereignty, and international law, Jackson began researching micronations and realized he had an opportunity to put theory into practice. He spent years drafting a constitution, designing a flag, and engaging with like-minded communities online.
On May 30, 2019, Jackson officially declared the independence of the Free Republic of Verdis. The micronation instantly became notable, not only for its unusual geopolitical location but also because it was recognised as the world’s second-smallest country, right behind Vatican City, based on claimed land area.
The Free Republic of Verdis: Languages, currency, and citizens
Unlike many conceptual micronations, Verdis quickly developed the characteristics of a functioning state. Jackson, who earns his living designing virtual worlds on Roblox, used his skills to shape Verdis’ identity.
Key features of the Free Republic of Verdis include:
- Languages: English, Croatian, and Serbian as official languages
- Currency: Euro
- Flag and Emblem: Designed and officially adopted by the Verdisian cabinet
- Passports: Issued to citizens, although Jackson warns they are not valid for regular international travel
Initially, the republic began with just four founding members but has now expanded to over 400 official citizens, chosen for their skills and contributions, with priority given to essential fields like medicine and policing. Jackson emphasised, “It is a very small country, so we have to be careful who we let in.”
Verdis faces ban and deportation from Croatia
The Free Republic of Verdis is only accessible by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. However, Croatian authorities have repeatedly opposed settlement attempts in the area. In October 2023, Jackson and several Verdisian settlers were detained by Croatian police, deported, and Jackson was handed a lifetime entry ban for allegedly posing a “threat to homeland security.” “They deported us but couldn’t give a reason why. They said we were a threat to homeland security,” Jackson said.
As reported, since then, Jackson has accused Croatian authorities of installing surveillance systems along the Danube shoreline to prevent access from the Serbian side, effectively blocking any effort to establish permanent settlement. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to what he calls a “government in exile.”
Serbia opens doors as Verdis attracts thousands of applicants
While Croatia has been hostile toward Verdis, Serbia has shown a more open attitude. Jackson frequently travels to Belgrade, where he claims to have received a warmer reception and opportunities to discuss future cooperation. His hope is to establish peaceful relations with both neighboring nations, despite the resistance he has encountered.
“We have had a lot of problems with Croatian authorities, but we do want a good relationship with them in the future. They haven’t taken to us kindly and have been aggressive,” Jackson explained. Verdis is now often described as the second-smallest nation in the world, only behind Vatican City, giving it symbolic importance among micronation enthusiasts. While it is currently a forested area without permanent infrastructure, it has captured the imagination of thousands who see it as an experiment in self-governance and creative statehood.
Citizenship applications continue to grow, with more than 15,000 people expressing interest in becoming part of this unconventional nation. Jackson views Verdis not only as a novelty but as a model for future micro-governance experiments.
Jackson’s future plans and vision for Verdis
Despite the mounting setbacks, Jackson’s commitment to Verdis remains unshaken. He dreams of one day returning to the disputed territory and building a permanent community.
“If successful, I would step down from my position and call an election. I am not interested in power at all … I just want to be a normal citizen. It has been eye-opening, and I am quite proud of what I have achieved,” Jackson said. For Jackson, Verdis represents much more than an adventure—it is a symbol of independence, creativity, and the power of vision.
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