This is absolutely crazy. For comparison, below are the costs in Switzerland (and you can do all the things yourself by writing a letter signed by the authorized persons, so add whatever your time costs):
" I own a few companies which means I'd be hit by the German exit tax. "
We don't know how many companies does he own.
We can look into exit tax rate, in different countries:
Germany: effective tax rate of up to roughly 28.5%
Japan: CGT rate is 20.315%
Israel: Standard CGT rate is 25%
Austria: Standard CGT rate is 27.5%
I had to do the same when moving country and it’s right.
This is an outrageous valuation and taxation scheme.
I think German politicians either don't understand the magnitude of the issue, or they have been coopted by lobbying somehow. It's such a tough environment for innovation.