One in seven Britons is considering purchasing property in Bulgaria or Romania, following the countries' EU accession at the beginning of this year, according to a new survey.

The number of foreign visitors to Bulgaria went up by 8.3 % last year, bringing the total in 2006 to 1.5 million, while visitors to Romania went up from 800,000 in 2000 to 1.4 million in 2004, the study by MRI Overseas Property found out.

"Bulgaria and Romania's official inclusion in the European Union is a key opportunity for property investment in these emerging markets," commented John Triton, a sales director at MRI Overseas Property.

"Based on the past history of other Eastern bloc countries joining the EU, where property prices have risen significantly these markets look set to become strong areas for capital growth."