Author
If the family members obtained international protection for the purpose of family reunification, they will have the same status and rights as the sponsor, but not in other cases.
If the family members have a residence permit or a long-term visa, they fall under the Immigration Act, not under the Asylum Act (as the sponsor does). The beneficiary of international protection has for the purpose of employment, healthcare and social welfare the same status as a person with a permanent residence. This mainly implies free access to the labour market, participation in public health insurance and access to the social security benefits. In contrast with that, the family members have free access to the labour market only in the case of long-term residence, in the case of the long-term visa they need a work permit[1]. Moreover, they will have access to the public health insurance only if they are employed (with exceptions[2]) and have limited access to the social security system after 365 days of residence in the Czech Republic.
[1] Sections 89 and 98 of the Employment Act.
[2] Children with long-term residence permits participate in the public health insurance but have to pay the insurance fee themselves. For children that are beneficiaries of international protection, the government pays the insurance fee. Section 2 subsection 1 letter b) point 11 of the Public Health Insurance Act, No. 48/1997 Coll.