An Er3+-doped lead-free bismuth germanate glass is synthesized. Its 2.7-\mu m emission property is analyzed, and the efficient 2.7-\mu m emission from the glass is observed under 980-nm laser diode excitation. The prepared glass possesses high spontaneous transition probability (64.8 s 1) and a large calculated emission cross section (6.61 \times 10^{ 21} cm2) corresponding to the 4I11/2 -> 4I13/2 transition. The multiphonon relaxation rate for the excited state 4I11/2 is only 236 s 1. Therefore, the excellent spectroscopic properties and outstanding thermal stability suggest that this glass is a suitable host for developing solid-state lasers operating in the mid-infrared.