In present work, influence of Nb addition on vacancy defects and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Nd–Fe–B permanent magnets, was investigated. Samples with composition (Nd,Fe,B)100−xNbx (where x=6,7,8) were studied in as-cast state and after annealing. Samples were prepared by arc-melting with high purity of constituent elements under Ar atmosphere. Ribbons were obtained by melt-spinning technique under low pressure of Ar. Ribbon samples in as-cast state had amorphous structure and soft magnetic properties. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy PALS has been applied to detection of positron – trapping voids (vacancy defects). With increase of Nb in alloy increasing of vacancy defects concentration was observed. Heat treatment of the samples was carried out at various temperatures (from 923 K to 1023 K) for 5 min, in order to obtain nanocrystalline structure. The aim of present work was to determine the influence of Nb addition and annealing conditions on the vacancy defects and magnetic properties of the Nd–Fe–B- type alloys in as-cast state and after heat treatment.