Does time I spent in the Netherlands on a student permit count toward permanent residence?

Years you spent legally in the Netherlands count toward the five-year requirement, provided your residence was continuous and you always met your permit conditions. The rules count years from the age of 8 onward.

Keep in mind that the EU long-term residence variant can treat study time differently from the national permanent residence permit, so the route you choose can affect how your past residence is counted. If much of your residence was as a student, it is worth checking which permanent route is most favourable for you.