In Austria there were some initiatives to introduce a cheaper Ltd, called "GmbH light", but this was changed again. Currently there's a way to pay EUR 5000 immediately and EUR 17500 (total) share capital after 10 years ("Gründungsprivilegierte GmbH" - http://www.wirtschaftsanwaelte.at/gmbh-light-durch-die-gmbh-...) , but in your situation I'd be looking at setting up a german Ltd to get rid of some of the problems at least: http://www.ug-ltd.de/limited.html