Anna Hartz
Meet the Young Founder of Verdis, the World’s Newest Micro-Nation
Most people spend their teenage years dreaming of the future. Daniel Jackson, from the UK, dreamed of something a little more unusual.
He wanted to start his own country. And now, he has, according to Ziare.
An Independent Nation with a President
The Free Republic of Verdis is a tiny strip of land along the Danube River. It covers just half a square kilometer.
The land sits between Croatia and Serbia. Because of a long-standing border disagreement, neither country officially claims it. Jackson saw an opportunity.
He first had the idea when he was 14. At the time, it was more of a game among friends. But five years later, it’s become something real.
He declared Verdis an independent nation in 2019. He made a flag. He wrote laws. He even built a government. Today, he calls himself the president.
Verdis now has about 400 official citizens. Thousands more have applied. The country uses the euro and lists English, Croatian, and Serbian as its official languages. The only way to reach it is by boat from Osijek, Croatia.
In Exile
Jackson works as a digital designer. He builds virtual worlds on Roblox for a living. But Verdis is his passion project. He says it has taught him a lot about people and politics.
But not everyone is happy about the new “nation.” Croatian police stepped in last year. They arrested Jackson and others who tried to settle there.
They were deported and banned from entering Croatia again. Jackson said no clear reason was given. He believes Croatian officials see them as a threat.
Now, Jackson runs Verdis from exile. He spends time in Belgrade, Serbia, where he says officials are more open to the idea. He still hopes to return one day.
“If I ever get to live there full time,” he said, “I’ll step down and hold elections.” He insists he’s not interested in holding onto power. He just wants to build something that lasts.
For now, the dream of Verdis lives on — even if its president can’t go home.
