The Free Republic of Verdis: A Self-Proclaimed Nation Amidst Border Disputes
A young man has declared himself president of a newly established country nestled in the contested territory between Croatia and Serbia. This so-called nation, called the Free Republic of Verdis, boasts its own flags, ministers, currency, and nearly 400 citizens.
Daniel Jackson, the mind behind this idea, created Verdis on a small parcel of land—less than 125 acres—along the Danube River. He discovered that this area was not officially claimed by any neighboring country due to a lingering border dispute.
Jackson, who is now 20, mentions that the idea for Verdis first struck him when he was just 14. “It started off as an experiment with a few friends,” he recalls. “We wanted to create something wildly different.
On May 30, 2019, Jackson officially declared the independence of the Republic, as reported by SWNS. The land, identified on maps as “Pocket Three,” is now dubbed the second smallest nation globally, trailing only Vatican City.
At 18, Jackson enlisted the help of digital designers who specialize in creating virtual spaces through platforms like Roblox, laying the groundwork for a functional government. “We began actualizing Verdis by establishing laws and flags,” he said. “Now we’re building a government and assembling cabinets.”
Verdis recognizes English, Croatian, and Serbian as its official languages and operates using the euro as its currency. The nation’s only entry point is by boat from Osijek, Croatia, but settling there has proven to be quite challenging.
In October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and several settlers, subsequently deporting them and issuing a lifetime entry ban for him. “They just said we posed a threat to national security, but didn’t elaborate,” he said.
Jackson, who describes himself as leading a “government in exile,” has accused Croatian authorities of establishing surveillance along their coastline to prevent access from Serbia. “We’ve had many difficulties with them, but we’re hopeful about improving our relationship down the line,” he noted.
Despite the deportations, Jackson continues to advocate for their right to access Verdis and dreams of living there someday. “If I manage to succeed in that, I would step down from my role and call for elections. I’m not interested in power—I just want to be an ordinary citizen. What I’ve achieved here is truly eye-opening,” he expressed.
Verdis, which began with just four citizens, has now attracted over 400 applicants for government positions, out of approximately 15,000 who applied.
Although Jackson warns that using Verdis passports for legitimate international travel could be problematic, some citizens have reportedly used them to enter other countries. “Being a small nation, we have to be selective about who we allow to travel,” he explained.
Despite facing opposition, Jackson remains optimistic about the future. “We’re determined to make our claim to the land. Croatia does not officially recognize it, and that, perhaps, gives us an opportunity,” he said.
Originally from Australia, Jackson is set on transforming Verdis into something beyond a mere concept. “On the surface, it may seem like just dense forests, but when you realize you’re in a country you’ve built, it feels like magic,” he remarked.
