New research from investment company, Assetz, finds that residential investments in France outperformed those in the UK, Spain, Florida, Bulgaria or Cyprus.

Using an analysis of how much money must be put in, rental yields, capital growth and mortgage costs - the total return on investments in France stand at a staggering 92%.

Cyprus also faired well - with investors receiving returns of 72%. However Assetz warns caution with regards to investing in Bulgaria; and Florida.

"Investors should be cautious in Bulgarias immature market. Property prices are growing significantly in the more established areas such as the Black Sea coastline and the major ski resorts, but many of the apparent bargain deals citing properties for under €30,000 will be located in the more rural areas and are unlikely to enjoy such high growth rates and certainly not high rental yields," said Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz.

He adds: "With interest rates rising fast in the USA and a widely forecast faltering in property price growth, Florida is a risk for investors who would gain on rental income alone and would therefore be forced to consider only a long-term investment strategy."