In this work, the PAN, PANB, PANK, and SNAB glass matrices with nominal compositions 60P205.10Al2O3.30Na2O, 60P205.10Al2O3.15Na2O.15BaO, 40P2O5.20Al2O3.35Na2O.5K2O, and 40SiO2.30Na2CO3.1Al2O3.29B2O3 (mol%), respectively, doped with Er3+ ions, were studied. To determine the Er3+ spectroscopic properties in these matrices, the optical absorption, luminescence, and experimental lifetime were measured, and based on the obtained data, the Judd-Ofelt theory was applied. The experimental lifetime and quantum efficiency of the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition were analyzed as a function of the Er3+ concentration. Among the studied samples, the phosphate glass PANK presents the higher lifetime (~ 8.8 ms) and quantum efficiency (~ 88%), due to the small hydroxyl content.