We report the first observation of photolumines-cence enhancement in Er 3+ doped GeO 2-Bi 2O 3 glasses containing silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) excited by a laser operating at 980 nm. The growth of ≈ 200% in the intensity of the Er 3+ transition 4S 3/2 → 4I 15/2 (545 nm) and of ≈ 100% for transitions 2H 11/2 → 4I 15/2 (525 nm), 4F 9/2 → 4I 15/2 (660 nm), and 4I 5/2 → 4I 13/2 (1530 nm) was observed in comparison with a reference sample that does not contain Si-NCs. The results open a new road for obtaining efficient Stokes and anti-Stokes emissions in germanate composites doped with rare-earth ions.