Research focusing on the nitrogen (N) application and N use of forage maize (Zea mays L.) in the boreal region is either limited or non-existent. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of yield, quality and N recovery efficiency (N_RE) of forage maize to an increase in the N application rate and different climatic conditions in two locations in Finland. The field experiment was conducted in southern (Helsinki; 60° N) and central (Maaninka; 63° N) Finland in 2019 and 2020. Dry matter (DM) yield, forage quality and N_RE were determined for N application rates of 100, 150 and 200 N kg ha⁻¹. The DM yield was similar to all studied N application rates. Moreover, there were no marked differences in the studied forage quality traits or the N_RE following the N application rates. However, the N_RE of maize was generally low at 45%. The current study recommends a N application rate of 100–150 N kg ha⁻¹ for forage maize in the boreal region. There is no need to increase the N application from current recommendations since climate conditions seem to limit the growth, development and N_RE of forage maize. The observed low N_RE of forage maize warrants further research in the future.