> GmbH bank account amounts should be visible publicly

Not sure about Germany, but e.g. in Estonia it’s essentially public info (albeit unaudited, usually), as part of the annual report. The company has to maintain at least the declared capital amount in their bank accounts (or other assets), but the amount can be pretty much any number, so the business owner can decide what sum makes sense in their case.

25k € is way too much for most small businesses, yeah.

(IANAL)

All GmbH are mandated to publish their financial statements in Germany. Its on Bundesanzeiger a government website which of course takes a fee again…