Van Schijndel entered the House of Representatives in 2005 as a member of the VVD, succeeding Jan Rijpstra.

In parliament, he focused on matters relating to policing, European rules, the Dutch Constitution, AIVD and national security.

He was also opposed to Turkey joining the European Union and disagreed with the VVD's course under Mark Rutte.

He subsequently lived and worked in Brazil setting up partnerships and exchange programs between Dutch and Brazilian universities.

In 2017, he made a return to Dutch politics when he was elected to the municipal council of Amsterdam for the Forum for Democracy party.